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[Multiverse shuts down: Firefly, Buffy MMOs officially dead]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/02/multiverse-shuts-down-firefly-buffy-mmos-officially-dead/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/02/multiverse-shuts-down-firefly-buffy-mmos-officially-dead/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/02/multiverse-shuts-down-firefly-buffy-mmos-officially-dead/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The crew of Serenity
It may be 2012, but 2011 isn't finished claiming its victims just yet. As discovered by Ten Ton Hammer, the team behind the Multiverse development platform has officially pulled the plug due to lack of funding. If that name doesn't ring a bell, we're sure you've heard of the two IPs most closely associated with it.

Multiverse was slated to be the engine powering both the Firefly and Buffy the Vampire Slayer MMOs, but as of December 7, 2011, fans will have to look elsewhere for their Whedonverse fix. There is always Firefly Universe Online, but due to the unauthorized nature of the project and the lack of updates, we're not holding our breath.

MassivelyMultiverse shuts down: Firefly, Buffy MMOs officially dead originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buffybuffy-the-vampire-slayerfireflyfirefly-mmofrakjoss-whedonMiscellaneousmmo-industrymultiverseserenitythe-special-hellwhedonverseMon, 02 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[CCP partners with Nexon to release EVE Online in Japan [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/07/ccp-partners-with-nexon-to-release-eve-online-and-dust-514-in-ja/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/07/ccp-partners-with-nexon-to-release-eve-online-and-dust-514-in-ja/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/07/ccp-partners-with-nexon-to-release-eve-online-and-dust-514-in-ja/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The Japanese games market can be difficult for western companies to break into, with accurate client localisation and translation acting as a huge potential roadblock. In an unexpected press release today, EVE Online developer CCP Games announced a strategic partnership with Japan-based MMO publisher Nexon to bring both EVE Online and DUST 514 to the Japanese market. EVE is currently available in English, German and Russian, and Japanese players have so far found considerable difficulty in playing the game.

Unlike EVE's Chinese release, the Japanese client will connect to the main Tranquility game server. Nexon will add the game to its portal website and use its own billing system for Japanese subscribers. As we've seen with EVE's sizeable Russian playerbase, it's likely that entire alliances and communities will build up within the game once it hits the shelves in Japan. While the language barrier between players from different parts of the world can limit social interaction, it turns out that everyone understands the language of smashing internet spaceships to bits with lasers. The PC release of EVE Online in Japan will appear later this year.

[Update: CCP has informed us that this deal with Nexon does not apply to anything DUST-related.]

MassivelyCCP partners with Nexon to release EVE Online in Japan [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 07 Jul 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingccpccp-eveccp-gamesdust-514eveeve-ccpeve-mmorpgeve-onlinejapanjapanesenewsnexonpartnershipserenityservertranquilityThu, 07 Jul 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[CCP responds to rumour of server merger with EVE China]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/05/ccp-responds-to-rumour-of-server-merger-with-eve-china/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/05/ccp-responds-to-rumour-of-server-merger-with-eve-china/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/05/ccp-responds-to-rumour-of-server-merger-with-eve-china/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Back in 2006, CCP Games decided to move EVE Online into the Chinese MMO market. To comply with China's strict laws regarding online gaming, a second server named Serenity was created. Although the game itself is the same, Serenity doesn't really interact with EVE's main game server. The people over at mmosite today reported that CCP Games had announced plans to merge the two servers. They pointed to a talk given by CCP's CEO Hilmar Petursson at the recent Chinese Game Developers Conference, asserting that Hilmar discussed the company's plans to "connect the Chinese server of EVE Online with its world server."

This news came as a bit of a shock, as the Chinese gaming laws which necessitated a separate game server are still in place. We contacted CCP for more information, who promptly informed us that they are not planning to merge the two servers, and that the writer at mmosite had likely misunderstood what Hilmar said during his talk. Hilmar issued us with the following statement:

"Ever since the Chinese version of EVE Online was announced at EVE Fanfest 2005 then CCP has consistently stated that according to CCP's design philosophy and single shard one world strategy then it would make sense to merge the two servers at some point in the future. Currently this is not possible, for various reasons and we have no current plans to do this merger as a results of those reasons. We will continue to communicate our vision and aspirations regardless."

MassivelyCCP responds to rumour of server merger with EVE China originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-eveccp-gameschinachineseeveeve-ccpeve-mmorpgeve-onlinemergemergesserenityserverserver-mergeserver-mergesserversThu, 05 Aug 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wising up to the Firefly MMO's unique challenges]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/15/wising-up-to-the-firefly-mmos-unique-challenges/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/15/wising-up-to-the-firefly-mmos-unique-challenges/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/15/wising-up-to-the-firefly-mmos-unique-challenges/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It's been about a year and a half since Wired reported that the Firefly license would be MMO-ized by Multiverse. Since then, there's been a vacuum of news -- nada. The game is looking vaporware-esque at this point, but MMORPG nevertheless ran a feature article speculating as to what sorts of challenges the developers of the Firefly MMO will face.

The author goes through all sorts of possible approaches, from a Star Wars Galaxies-inspired ground game to an EVE Online-inspired space game -- even a mostly-social, barely-RPG, casual-type experience. We suspect the last of those is the most likely, if the game gets made at all. As the article notes, the project is not likely to have much funding, and while the audience is passionate, it's also small. That was FOX's problem, too. As we know, the challenges don't end there.

One concern MMORPG didn't bring up at all; Firefly was a character-driven series. Its setting was kind of interesting, but the characters were what made it all worthwhile. If Mal, Jayne, Inara, and Kaylee aren't a part of it, will anyone want to tune in? Turning this franchise into a successful MMO seems almost impossible. Regardless, Captain Mal Reynolds said "we have done the impossible, and that makes us mighty." If the folks at Multiverse pull off a Firefly MMO, that quote could be their mantra.

MassivelyWising up to the Firefly MMO's unique challenges originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 Apr 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fireflyfirefly-mmofoxjoss-whedonmmorpgmmorpg.commultiversesereniflyserenityspeculationTue, 15 Apr 2008 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Grimwell gives one reason fantasy pwns sci-fi, we go "Huh?"]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/05/grimwell-gives-one-reason-fantasy-pwns-sci-fi-we-go-huh/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/05/grimwell-gives-one-reason-fantasy-pwns-sci-fi-we-go-huh/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/05/grimwell-gives-one-reason-fantasy-pwns-sci-fi-we-go-huh/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Watch your head, you don't want it hit by return fire in the ever-present MMO blogosphere discussion of fantasy vs sci-fi. The most recent discussion started up with Massively's own Michael Zenke and his "Five Reasons Sci-Fi Pwns Fantasy" which prompted the return fire in question from Grimwell. Both of the posts are certainly worth reading, especially if you have any kind of lingering interest in the subject matter.

As far as we can see, there's truth to be had on both sides of the fence. However, we do have one point of contention to make with Grimwelll's argument. He states that the reason fantasy "pwns" sci-fi is that it's accessible, which is a constant argument on the matter. While we think he may have a point in that less people are inherently familiar with sci-fi, we very much disagree with his assessment that you need to be a math nerd to enjoy good sci-fi -- his example in this case being Star Trek and its now-infamous technobabble.

Continue reading Grimwell gives one reason fantasy pwns sci-fi, we go "Huh?"

MassivelyGrimwell gives one reason fantasy pwns sci-fi, we go "Huh?" originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>babylon-5battlestar-galacticacaptain-kirkdoctor-whodunefireflyflash-gordongrimwelllostmichael-zenkeserenitystar-trekstar-warstechnobabblethe-4400Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:00:00 EST