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[Secret World dev diary talks story, context]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/30/secret-world-dev-diary-talks-story-context/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/30/secret-world-dev-diary-talks-story-context/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/30/secret-world-dev-diary-talks-story-context/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Sleuthing for more story-centric info regarding Funcom's upcoming horror-conspiracy MMORPG? Look no further than The Secret World's latest video dev diary featuring commentary from designers Ragnar Tornquist and Joel Bylos as well as lead writer Dag Scheve.

The trio highlights The Secret World's use of the real world as both location and character, with Bylos calling it "the greatest resource of all." The video shows a few new clips courtesy of the game's cinematics, but Tornquist is quick to point out that cinematics don't tell the whole tale when it comes to The Secret World's narrative. In spite of the fact that every character in the game is motion-captured and fully voiced, the story is "embedded into the world. You have to look for it, you have to search for it. The story is exploration and the story is discovery," Tornquist explains.

Funcom also seeks to challenge gamers in ways that depart from the traditional MMORPG paradigm, and Bylos says that "we're not just asking them to click a mouse button over and over again, but to think about what they do." Put on your thinking caps and click past the cut for the full video.

Continue reading Secret World dev diary talks story, context

MassivelySecret World dev diary talks story, context originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 May 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cinematicsdag-schevedev-diaryfantasyfuncomhorrorinvestigationjoel-bylosmissionsmmo-storyRagnar-Tornquistsabotagestorythe-secret-worldtswvideoMon, 30 May 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Funcom hints at Secret World death penalty, sabotage missions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/05/funcom-hints-at-secret-world-death-penalty-sabotage-missions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/05/funcom-hints-at-secret-world-death-penalty-sabotage-missions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/05/funcom-hints-at-secret-world-death-penalty-sabotage-missions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

All is very hush hush around Funcom's The Secret World. While a good bit of new info surfaced at last month's GDC, there are still more questions than answers regarding the firm's followup to Age of Conan.

That said, occasionally the devs will dangle a tasty morsel, and in a new interview at Game Snafu, Funcom designer Martin Bruusgaard does just that with regard to TSW's death penalty mechanics. "We will not implement a death system that can be exploited as a fast travel system, because dying in The Secret World should be a sign of failure, and not optimization in any way. We don't want to punish the players in a form where they can lose stuff, neither items nor experience, but rather penalize on time," he explains.

Designer Joel Bylos also chimes in with some interesting bits about the game's questing mechanics, chief among them a hint about new sabotage missions. "These missions share a similar gameplay style to the original Deus Ex game -- avoiding security cameras, disabling traps and hacking computers, etc. Generally the traps are dynamic only in the sense that players can disable/enable them in the world. This becomes interesting when other players can accidentally trigger an alarm in the camp you are sneaking through," Bylos says. Check out the full interview at Game Snafu.

MassivelyFuncom hints at Secret World death penalty, sabotage missions originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conspiraciesdeathdeath-penaltyfuncominterviewjoel-bylosmartin-bruusgaardmissionssabotagesabotage-missionsskill-basedthe-secret-worldtswTue, 05 Apr 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Exclusive: A look at RIFT's Saboteur]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/21/exclusive-a-look-at-rifts-saboteur/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/21/exclusive-a-look-at-rifts-saboteur/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/21/exclusive-a-look-at-rifts-saboteur/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

You can call them rogues, thieves, scoundrels, but by any name they're stealthy little bastards. RIFT's Rogues are no exception, with the difference being that the soul system allows them access to several unique flavors of sneaky little bastard. There are the backstabbing Assassins, the sniping Marksmen, and the defensive Riftstalker all under the same overarching aegis, allowing players a wide variety of different options. But none of them yet has been the truly annoying sort, the one who looks to be finally caught flat-footed just as you realize he's been playing you the whole time.

Rounding off a week of new soul previews is the Saboteur -- and while it might seem a bit less glamorous to come last, that's exactly how the Saboteur would want it. An expert in preparation and subtle traps, the Saboteur is vulnerable without time to prepare his various battlefield modifications, but immensely destructive if he's in control. Click on past the break for more backstory and information on RIFT's resident schemer.

Gallery: RIFT: Core Gallery

Continue reading Exclusive: A look at RIFT's Saboteur

MassivelyExclusive: A look at RIFT's Saboteur originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>classclass-previewclass-previewsclassesexclusiveloremassively-exclusivenew-classnew-soulsriftrift-planes-of-telararoguesabotagesaboteursneakingsoulsoul-systemsoulsstealthtriontrion-worldsFri, 21 Jan 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Major EVE Online alliance CVA disbanded: espionage or hack? ]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/28/major-eve-online-alliance-cva-disbanded-espionage-or-hack/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/28/major-eve-online-alliance-cva-disbanded-espionage-or-hack/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/28/major-eve-online-alliance-cva-disbanded-espionage-or-hack/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Major EVE Online roleplaying alliance Curatores Veritatis Alliance (CVA) disbanded today, possibly the result of a traitor within their ranks, leaving a power vacuum in the Providence region they once held. It's possible for high-level directors of an alliance to disband the organization, and this is exactly what happened today to Curatores Veritatis Alliance. CVA was an alliance loyal to the game's NPC faction the Amarr Empire and had a long history of enforcing rule in lawless space and resisting rival player organizations of Minmatar freedom fighters -- notably Ushra'Khan -- who they branded as terrorists. In short, CVA has played a significant role in the player-driven setting of EVE Online.

At this point, speculation as to how CVA was disbanded is rampant. The concept of a mole using high-level access to destroy an alliance from within is not unprecedented in the game, although some players are asserting an account hack took place. EVE pilot "BULLETPROOF 50CENT" of the corporation Traceless Representatives of Anonymous Players (TRAP) has claimed credit for the disintegration of CVA. He stated: "I am known as bullet, just a small, relatively unknown member of a covert organization, created by and dedicated to the taking down of what we saw as the single largest evil in EVE -- CVA."

Continue reading Major EVE Online alliance CVA disbanded: espionage or hack?

MassivelyMajor EVE Online alliance CVA disbanded: espionage or hack? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alliancealliancesamarrbreakingccpccp-gamescontroversycuratores-veritatis-alliancecvaespionageeveeve-onlineguildshackhardinnew-edenprovidencerevengesabotagespiesspytrapWed, 28 Oct 2009 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Latest EVE Online Chronicle a moral tale of sabotage and retribution]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/22/latest-eve-online-chronicle-a-moral-tale-of-sabotage-and-retribu/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/22/latest-eve-online-chronicle-a-moral-tale-of-sabotage-and-retribu/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/22/latest-eve-online-chronicle-a-moral-tale-of-sabotage-and-retribu/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


EVE Online differs from other massively multiplayer online games out there in that it's as much a setting as it is a game; its galactic setting of New Eden isn't divided across shards. This helps the game's lore creators conjure up a sense that the stories of New Eden echo throughout and define a single expansive galaxy, at least for those who choose to get into the game's backstory.

EVE's lore has been building up for years as short Chronicles and even in novel form, creating a substantial yet growing body of work that fleshes out the gritty setting. We don't cover all of the Chronicle releases at Massively but we do tend to highlight those that have a direct bearing on the game's lore, rather than those that add flavor. Still, now and again a story comes along that really stands out. That was the case with this week's Chronicle titled "All These Lives are Fit to Ruin" by CCP Abraxas, the description of which was one simple word: "Sabotage". This caught our interest and, in this writer's opinion after having read the Chronicle twice, "All These Lives are Fit to Ruin" may be one of the best stories Abraxas has written thus far.

Continue reading Latest EVE Online Chronicle a moral tale of sabotage and retribution

MassivelyLatest EVE Online Chronicle a moral tale of sabotage and retribution originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 22 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstorycapsuleersccp-abraxasccp-gameseveeve-chronicleeve-chronicleseve-onlinefactionsguristasloremoralitynew-edennpcnpcspiracypiratepiratespveretributionrevengesabotagesci-fisettingWed, 22 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE PvP Tournament assassination: Machiavellian or bad form?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/01/eve-pvp-tournament-assassination-machiavellian-or-bad-form/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/01/eve-pvp-tournament-assassination-machiavellian-or-bad-form/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/01/eve-pvp-tournament-assassination-machiavellian-or-bad-form/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Struggle between player alliances in EVE Online is very much at the heart of the game. While most conflicts play out in sweeping alliance warfare, with its requisite fleet battles involving hundreds of players, some alliances also choose to face one another in arena combat with the rapt attention of many thousands of their fellow pilots: the Alliance PvP Tournament.

The Alliance Tournament in EVE Online provides a way for players to demonstrate what they're capable of under controlled conditions, and offers a shot at fame or notoriety among the playerbase. In some cases, alliances may face off in the PvP tournament to settle a score in a very public way. The rules of engagement in place ensure that all alliance teams are on equal ground with one another. EVE players can be devious though, if nothing else... as one match this past weekend proved: one alliance competitor assassinated his team's captain once the match had begun, and then self-destructed his own ship. The would-be saboteur, ironically named "Happy Joymaker", later announced he had infiltrated the alliance for the express purpose of a public execution of his target.

Continue reading EVE PvP Tournament assassination: Machiavellian or bad form?

MassivelyEVE PvP Tournament assassination: Machiavellian or bad form? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 01 Feb 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Corp theft is a daily occurrence in EVE Online. Unlike most MMOs, stealing from other players or organizations in EVE is permissible, assuming that normal in-game methods were employed to pull it off. Simply stated, corp theft in EVE involves becoming a member of the corp and then stealing from the target corporation's hangar(s). Once a thief has access to assets, they can literally clean the corporation out to whatever extent they are able to, depending on their level of granted access. Sometimes corp theft is premeditated, other times it's a crime of opportunity. There are players who approach these heists as a profession, others may do so out of revenge. Regardless of the reasons behind theft in EVE, it's a part of the game and does help establish New Eden's setting as being a harsh, corporation-dominated galaxy where deception is a style of play.

Most corp thefts that this writer is aware of inflict minor damage, often a few billion isk in losses. Generally this isn't enough to cause serious harm to any solid corporation's future, and the only real impact on the corp is emo rage and a few pages of forum drama, and the offender's name being added to Fitz VonHeise's list "The Thieves of EVE" which should be required reading for corp CEOs and Directors who are involved in recruiting players.

Continue reading A 200 billion isk theft in EVE Online

MassivelyA 200 billion isk theft in EVE Online originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 Oct 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>band-of-brothersbobcallyccpccp-gamescorporate-espionagecraftingdeceptiondestructive-influencediceeconomyeibeib-scamespionageeveeve-onlineeve-tribuneforumsgame-mechanicsguiding-hand-social-clubisklady-scarletmiyamoto-isorukunew-edensabotagesandboxsci-fisinssubterfugethiefviper-shizzleTue, 21 Oct 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE's spies and metagamers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/12/eves-spies-and-metagamers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/12/eves-spies-and-metagamers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/12/eves-spies-and-metagamers/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


EVE Online is one of the few MMOs where players in guilds (corporations and alliances) have some valid concerns about spies from rival groups infiltrating their ranks. The concept of being a spy or saboteur is a profession of sorts that arose in the game. There aren't any game mechanics that necessarily enable spying or make it into a viable profession, nor are there any rules that prohibit most of these activities.

Wes from EVE Tribune recently wrote a piece called "Metagaming", dealing with how espionage can impact rival corporations and alliances in EVE. Wes asks, "Why is everyone so paranoid about spies and metagaming?" then goes on to explain how espionage in EVE works, categorizing spies by their modus operandi:

Continue reading EVE's spies and metagamers

MassivelyEVE's spies and metagamers originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 12 Oct 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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War declarations are an essential part of EVE Online. They allow corporations and alliances to fight for control over resources, territory, or simply to get revenge on their rivals. Then again, others declare war for the opportunity to grief in Empire space. Perhaps it's this latter tendency that prompted the latest announcement from CCP Games. They're branding the monkeywrenching of rival corporations during wartime as an exploit.

GM Grimmi states: "The practice of insta-joining/leaving warring corporations for the purpose of surprising war targets, or getting them in trouble with CONCORD, is considered an exploit from here on. Reports of this will be investigated on a case by case basis and warnings will be issued at the discretion of the GM. Repeated incidents may result in bans on accounts involved." This doesn't seem to apply to 'normal' corp infiltrations, though it does beg the question of why a corporation at war would even be accepting new recruits at all. What's the protocol in your corp, do you continue to accept applicants into the fold during a wardec, or is the risk of alt spying and sabotage too great?

MassivelyEVE exploit warning affects corp infiltration practices originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>announcementccpccp-gamesconcordcorpcorp-theftcorp-thiefcorporationdev-blogempireeveeve-onlineexploitgmgm-grimmihangar-theftmonkeywrenchingsabotagespiesspywar-decwar-declarationwar-targetwardecWed, 27 Aug 2008 12:00:00 EST