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[Creative staff discuss the story setting of The Elder Scrolls Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/creative-staff-discuss-the-story-setting-of-the-elder-scrolls-on/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/creative-staff-discuss-the-story-setting-of-the-elder-scrolls-on/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/creative-staff-discuss-the-story-setting-of-the-elder-scrolls-on/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Right now, this pretty much qualifies as concept art.
MMOs in an existing franchise always present certain issues: You need enough conceptual space to advance a game's storyline, but you may not want to be locked in to never doing another title in the franchise. So The Elder Scrolls Online has to be set in just the right time period for the game to work. In a recent video interview, creative director Paul Sage and content designer Rich Lambert sat down to talk about the why behind the when.

Sage and Lambert explain that the real draw to this particular time period was the fact that there's neither a great deal of recorded in-game history nor a lot of huge events that might affect future titles -- it's a time when almost anything can happen without derailing future events in the universe. The duo also discusses keeping the game aligned with existing lore and ensuring that nothing gets thrown off by mistake. Those looking forward to the game will want to watch the full interview, which goes into more details regarding specifics of lore and setting.

MassivelyCreative staff discuss the story setting of The Elder Scrolls Online originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 May 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstorybethesdainterviewlorelore-detailsnewspaul-sagerich-lambertsettingstorytesothe-elder-scrolls-onlinevideovideo-interviewzenimaxzenimax-online-entertainmentMon, 21 May 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Ishgardbul, not Ala Mhigonople]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/31/the-mog-log-ishgardbul-not-ala-mhigonople/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/31/the-mog-log-ishgardbul-not-ala-mhigonople/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/31/the-mog-log-ishgardbul-not-ala-mhigonople/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The Mog Log header by A. Fienemann
There are three cities that players can select to call home in Final Fantasy XIV, but there are five cities of importance. Over the past few weeks I've looked at the former group, but that leaves two important places to be covered. At the same time, those cities are by necessity harder to talk about because we haven't set foot in either. Everything we know about them is secondhand, via quests and inference and in one case the ability to longingly gaze over an ornate stone bridge.

Ishgard and Ala Mhigo both cast long shadows over Eorzea, but neither one is accessible to players. There are details about both swimming through the game, but it's always secondhand, always with one or two pieces gleaned from outside sources. In its own way, this makes both cities more alluring -- because one we know to be the heart of darkness and the other could be almost anything when the gates finally swing open. If, in fact, they ever do.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Ishgardbul, not Ala Mhigonople

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Ishgardbul, not Ala Mhigonople originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 31 Mar 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ala-mhigobackstorycitiesconsoleconsolesfantasyfeaturedffff14ffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivishgardloremog-logopinionsettingsquaresquare-enixsquenixthe-mog-logSat, 31 Mar 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WildStar invites players to meet the Aurin]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/wildstar-invites-players-to-meet-the-aurin/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/wildstar-invites-players-to-meet-the-aurin/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/wildstar-invites-players-to-meet-the-aurin/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Unfortunately, no bunny-men yet. Oh, well.
There's a lot to be learned about the setting of WildStar before the game starts in on testing, but there are also a lot of prospective players eager to learn whatever they can. So they'll probably be happy to take a look at the latest entry on the official blog, a mock-interview with the Aurin character Liara from the game's original cinematic trailer. Aside from providing some character insights, it gives a look at the Aurin as a species beyond the obvious.

The Aurin come from the forested planet of Arboria, where large ears and long tails for balance have some decided evolutionary advantages. Unfortunately for the Aurin, the Dominion invaded the planet and began cutting everything down, leading to the displaced animal-people lending their knowledge to the Exiles. It's an interesting glimpse at the game's lore for both the Aurin and for Scientists, something that several eager WildStar fans will no doubt devour with vigor.

MassivelyWildStar invites players to meet the Aurin originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aurinbackstorycarbinecarbine-studiosdevelopmentlorencsoftpreviewssettingwildstarThu, 26 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: From beyond the boundaries]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/storyboard-from-beyond-the-boundaries/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/storyboard-from-beyond-the-boundaries/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/storyboard-from-beyond-the-boundaries/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The space between realities generally includes lizards.
Every game world has a basic setting premise. Your character in Guild Wars can come from all over Tyria, but he certainly doesn't come from Alderaan. Even though your captain in Star Trek Online is proficient in unarmed combat, she cannot bend the Matrix to her will. And no matter how similar the settings might seem, when WildStar finally comes out, you will not be able to claim that your character used to smuggle cargo on a Firefly-class vessel out in the black.

People do these things anyway. People gleefully import characters wholesale from other settings and expect it to be accepted that they come from another time and place, often bringing with them plenty of baggage. It's flagrant disregard for the rules of the setting and the game as it exists, and it's a hallmark of bad roleplaying...

And yet it doesn't have to be. This is an element of fiction that's always been very popular, and in some games (such as most superheroic ones), the idea of slipping from one world to another doesn't seem that far-fetched. So let's talk about why it tends to be done and how you can actually do this without being obnoxious.

Continue reading Storyboard: From beyond the boundaries

MassivelyStoryboard: From beyond the boundaries originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Dec 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contextculturefeaturedloreopinionroleplayingrpsettingstoryboardFri, 09 Dec 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Fluffballs on parade]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/19/the-mog-log-fluffballs-on-parade/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/19/the-mog-log-fluffballs-on-parade/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/19/the-mog-log-fluffballs-on-parade/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

The Mog Log header by A. Fienemann
Despite what it might have seemed like, last week's column was not actually meant as a direct response to Final Fantasy XIV's announcement of class revisions. It was just a happy coincidence, really. I could go into more detail, of course, but I had already planned on talking about the eponym of the column, which I haven't done since I kicked the column off in the first place.

Moogles are ubiquitous in Final Fantasy XI, and while they're a bit rarer in Final Fantasy XIV they're still not a secret. This is understandable -- after all, the small little critters are part of the glue that holds the series together conceptually. So it's odd that when you get right down to it, they're only peripherally involved with the settings of the games they appear in. Despite the ubiquity of the moogles, it's debatable whether some of them are even there.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Fluffballs on parade

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Fluffballs on parade originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 19 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstoryculturefeaturedffff11ff14ffxiffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivhumorloremetaopinionsettingsquaresquare-enixthe-mog-logSat, 19 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[City of Steam browser title features unique steampunk world]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/05/city-of-steam-browser-title-features-unique-steampunk-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/05/city-of-steam-browser-title-features-unique-steampunk-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/05/city-of-steam-browser-title-features-unique-steampunk-world/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

City of Steam
Steampunk continues to be a source of fascination for both game geeks and game developers, and the latest example of the phenomenon in MMO circles is a new title called City of Steam.

An interview at Light Speed Gaming spills the beans on the browser-based title, which is being developed by a Chinese firm called Mechanist Games. If you've ever wanted to play a mechanical dwarf, or explore a world that is literally a giant machine, City of Steam may be your game. The setting is borrowed from a series of RPG books and incorporates all the elements of fantastical steampunk (plus a few novel twists) that fans of the genre have come to expect.

"The world itself is a giant machine, and is, in fact flat. The elemental planes aren't found by mystical methods -- you can literally walk across the teeth of the world to reach them. The sun and stars are actually tethered to the world, orbiting as gyroscopic pieces of the superstructure of existence," according to the designers. Head to Light Speed Gaming for more on the setting and the game mechanics, and don't forget to view the video embed after the break.

[Thanks to Soren for the tip!]

Continue reading City of Steam browser title features unique steampunk world

MassivelyCity of Steam browser title features unique steampunk world originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 05 Nov 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>browserbrowser-basedcity-of-steamfantasygame-mechanicsloremechanistmechanist-gamesmmo-industrynew-titlessettingsteampunkvideoworld-designSat, 05 Nov 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you prefer historical settings?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/13/the-daily-grind-do-you-prefer-historical-settings/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/13/the-daily-grind-do-you-prefer-historical-settings/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/13/the-daily-grind-do-you-prefer-historical-settings/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

R.I.P., Imperator
This week, Massively's Karen Bryan attended a GDC talk by Charles Cecil, the creator of Broken Sword, on the topic of writing games that employ history and historical themes. Cecil wisely noted that historical themes tap in to the audience's shared mythology to generate a compelling game and to serve as the foundation for accessible puzzles relevant to the storyline. And yet strict historical themes in MMOs, even when not diluted with more fantastic elements, can also betray immersion -- would it really make sense for a game about the American Revolution to allow female characters to become military generals?

Dark Age of Camelot certainly saw its share of success pairing real-world European legend and modern 20th-century fantasy, while its cousin Imperator, set in a futuristic Roman Empire, was canceled in favor of another Mythic game. World of Tanks thrives off historical realism, whereas the upcoming The Secret World is making an art-form of layering myth over mundane. Still, history-flavored games are very much in the minority, perhaps because they allow studios much less freedom of lore design. What do you think -- do historical (or pseudo-historical) MMOs work for you? Do you prefer pure escapism, or would you rather play in a "home-turf" setting whose real-world backstory is your own?

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: Do you prefer historical settings? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 13 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brianna-royce-tdgbroken-swordcharles-cecildaocdark-age-of-camelotgdcgdc-austin-2011historical-themeshistoryimperatorlegendmythmythicmythologyopinionreal-worldsettingtdgthe-daily-grindthe-secret-worldtswwarwarhammerwarhammer-onlineworld-of-tankswotThu, 13 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Beauty of the beastmen]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/01/the-mog-log-beauty-of-the-beastmen/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/01/the-mog-log-beauty-of-the-beastmen/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/01/the-mog-log-beauty-of-the-beastmen/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Mog Log header illustration by A. Fienemann
Well, it turned out to be a very good thing that I wasn't planning on talking about Final Fantasy XIV's patch 1.19 today, since it's not quite available just yet. That includes the absolutely enormous list of updates and changes to crafting, with several items apparently being yanked out of rotation altogether. Use up the ones you have and get ready to just vendor the rest, from the looks of it. Perhaps make some lumber ahead of time. At least your inventory woes should be somewhat diminished.

But this week's plan wasn't to talk about the patch; it was to talk about beastmen once again. Regular readers will note that I've already spoken about beastmen once before, taking a look at the often fascinating societies of non-human creatures living outside of the major cities. (I'm using "human" as a blanket term here for hume, elvaan, tarutaru, etc.) Today, I want to look at this in a bit more depth. What exactly do both Final Fantasy XIV and Final Fantasy XI use the beastmen for in terms of storytelling? What makes them compelling and interesting?

Continue reading The Mog Log: Beauty of the beastmen

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Beauty of the beastmen originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 01 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstorybeastmencolumnfeaturedffff11ff14ffxiffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivloreopinionsettingsquaresquare-enixthe-mog-logSat, 01 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What's your favorite in-game wildlife?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/23/the-daily-grind-whats-your-favorite-in-game-wildlife/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/23/the-daily-grind-whats-your-favorite-in-game-wildlife/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/23/the-daily-grind-whats-your-favorite-in-game-wildlife/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The general rule of MMOs is pretty simple to understand -- if it moves, either get a quest from it or kill it. Natural critters other than enemy soldiers exist mostly so that you can occasionally kill ten rats rather than killing ten beastmen. But from the chocobos of Final Fantasy XI to the elementally affected critters of RIFT, there are a plethora of different creatures that roam the land that you aren't necessarily meant to kill -- or at least those that serve a purpose in the world's ecology.

In some games, such as the deep space setting of EVE Online, you're not going to find much in the way of wildlife. But in the games that do feature animals meandering about, which ones are your favorites? What local fauna catches your eye, either because it reminds you that the game takes place in a living world or just because it's so alien and bizarre?

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's your favorite in-game wildlife? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 23 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animalsbirdscreaturescrittersenvironmentfaunaopinionratssettingtdgthe-daily-grindwildlifeSat, 23 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Expecting a living world]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/12/hyperspace-beacon-expecting-a-living-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/12/hyperspace-beacon-expecting-a-living-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/12/hyperspace-beacon-expecting-a-living-world/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The other day I was talking to some friends about Star Wars: The Old Republic, of course. As of late, it seems to be the only thing I'm talking about. My friend isn't a guy who follows the game that closely, but he is an MMO player and has certain expectations for the game. Specifically, we talked about Crew Skills and space combat. He is an EVE player. EVE Online has one of the most in-depth crafting systems in any MMO to date, not to mention the game is completely set in space, right? On the other side of the fence, I was talking to some roleplayers in Star Wars Galaxies, who also don't follow the game as closely as I do. These MMOers are expecting SWTOR to be filled with the best roleplay tools available in the gaming industry. It's BioWare; after all, that team created Never Winter Nights, the most customizable RPG ever. (Of course, this doesn't take into effect that latest games to come from the developer were pretty linear and not very sandboxy.)

As arm chair developers, we sometimes believe that implementing ideas in an MMO is a lot easier than reality. On the official forums last week, a player made this statement: "I, and 14 other guildmates, really want to plan on rolling on an rp-pvp server. It's such a trivial game feature to confirm for us, I don't understand why they wouldn't just mention it and be done with it." After saying that he would look into it, Community Manager Stephen Reid made the statement that "A good rule of thumb with MMO development is to never assume something is trivial."

What are some other "trivial" expectations players are placing on this game? Which ones can BioWare deliver on? Which ones aren't as trivial as suggested? Why can't Star Wars: The Old Republic give us everything we want? In this week's column, let's talk about setting.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Expecting a living world

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Expecting a living world originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 12 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWaredaniel-ericksone3-2011EAElectronic-Artsexpectationsfeaturedhypehyperspace-beaconLucasArtssettingStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicStephen-Reidswtortatooinethe-old-republictorTue, 12 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Fit for man and beast]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/14/the-mog-log-fit-for-man-and-beast/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/14/the-mog-log-fit-for-man-and-beast/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/14/the-mog-log-fit-for-man-and-beast/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Some weeks, I just don't have quite as much material as others. Oh, don't get me wrong -- the new May version update is out in Final Fantasy XI, which is awesome. But I already did a reaction piece on that, which kind of narrows down my options. Similarly, right now there isn't a lot happening in Final Fantasy XIV, just a lot of stuff around the corner that will eventually be released and probably be awesome. The fact that it's been Golden Week over in Japan has helped contribute to this overall sense of silence.

Thus, today I'm pulling something that at least distantly resembles a rabbit out of my hat by pulling out an old topic that I had never really written about before -- beastmen. Sadly underused thus far in Final Fantasy XIV, the beastmen in Final Fantasy XI contributed a lot to the game's setting and general sense of place, even though some of the critters were pretty hopelessly ridiculous. So as long as I'm taking a step off the beaten path, I'm walking around with some beastmen.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Fit for man and beast

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Fit for man and beast originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 14 May 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beastmencolumnsenemiesfeaturedffff11ff14ffxiffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivinteractionsloreopinionsettingsquaresquare-enixthe-mog-logSat, 14 May 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Class act]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/16/the-mog-log-class-act/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/16/the-mog-log-class-act/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/16/the-mog-log-class-act/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

It's been an exciting couple of weeks of news if you're a fan of fantasies that claim a certain degree of finality. I could talk more about some of the slated changes for Final Fantasy XI, or I could talk about all of the updates we know about for Final Fantasy XIV... but I've already done the former, and I think I want a little more information before I do the latter. This week, we're sticking with the original plan, and that's talking about the classes as they intersect with the game's lore, because it's pretty blessedly astonishing.

Think about it for a second. Both Final Fantasy XI and Final Fantasy XIV essentially let you be any class at any time. You aren't locked into a single selection a la World of Warcraft; your role is maleable based on the circumstance and what you feel like playing at any given time. By all rights, these classes could essentially be throw-away distinctions for abilities, without any sort of larger framework to live in. There's no strict mechanical reason why it would have to matter that a character was a White Mage if he could just as easily be a Warrior or a Scholar after a quick trip to the Mog House.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Class act

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Class act originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 16 Apr 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backgroundbackstoryclassesclasses-in-lorefeaturedff11ff14ffxiffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivintegrationloreopinionsettingsquaresquare-enixthe-mog-logSat, 16 Apr 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Of straw men and specifics]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/08/storyboard-of-straw-men-and-specifics/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/08/storyboard-of-straw-men-and-specifics/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/08/storyboard-of-straw-men-and-specifics/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

I was originally going to wrap up the initial little series of archetypes this week, but I decided to hold off for a week for a couple of reasons: first, because I don't want to just be rehashing what I said two weeks back when discussing how the series actually worked; and second, because there are a lot of smaller and assorted topics that I wanted to talk about for this week's installment of the column. We're approaching the first anniversary, after all, and that means it's a good time to start thinking about the next year.

There's also more to be said about the archetype from last week, and that's where I'm going to start off. It seems as if pretty much everyone got the joke about that column; it was meant as a parody of an archetype that's all too common in MMOs: the Mary Sue in roleplaying form, the person who can do no wrong even as the player breaks all sort of rules for no reason beyond ego. But there's a reason I went with this archetype instead of my first idea for an April Fools' Day article -- I think this archetype can actually work in a game, if played with care and with a gentle hand.

Continue reading Storyboard: Of straw men and specifics

MassivelyStoryboard: Of straw men and specifics originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>archetype-discussionarchetypescolumnfeaturedhumoropinionroleplayingrpsettingstoryboardstrawmanFri, 08 Apr 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Make a billboard for City of Heroes, win fantastic prizes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/29/make-a-billboard-for-city-of-heroes-win-fantastic-prizes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/29/make-a-billboard-for-city-of-heroes-win-fantastic-prizes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/29/make-a-billboard-for-city-of-heroes-win-fantastic-prizes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Whatever part of City of Heroes you traverse, there is a constant -- the billboards. From Praetoria's official billboards extolling the virtues of working for the state to the civil and capitalistic advertisements dotting Paragon City, no part of the game is free of advertising, albeit for fictional products or services. And the newest contest for the game is asking players to help add to that storied tradition of fake advertisements via the creation of your own billboard, advertising a new service or product within the game's setting.

The contest is open for entries until Monday, January 24th, allowing players ample time to design and send off their best possible advertisements for the game's setting. Obviously, the contest comes with the usual restrictions that disallow players from making offensive, copyrighted, or libelous advertisements, but other than that the sky is the limit. And the prizes? Nothing less than every single add-on for the game, including exclusive convention costumes, for the first-prize winner. Read the full rules and restrictions here, and if you want to make a mark on City of Heroes, get ready to start selling.

MassivelyMake a billboard for City of Heroes, win fantastic prizes originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 29 Nov 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisementart-contestbackstorybillboardcity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcontestcontestscovcoxfictional-advertisementin-game-advertisinglorencsoftparagonparagon-studiossettingMon, 29 Nov 2010 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: The unshuffled mortal coil]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/29/storyboard-the-unshuffled-mortal-coil/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/29/storyboard-the-unshuffled-mortal-coil/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/29/storyboard-the-unshuffled-mortal-coil/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Welcome to this week's Storyboard, which originally was going to be very different than normal until I started writing my first idea. I discovered an important fact halfway through the writing -- the idea was really stupid. So I killed it, and that segues nicely into what I want to talk about: Death. Sooner or later every group of roleplayers in an MMO has to deal with it, and considering how many worlds have certain monsters roaming about whose only purpose is delivering untold harm to player characters, it's probably going to be sooner.

Of course, death poses all sorts of problems in game design anyway -- what are the penalties, what are the lingering effects, is it a major inconvenience or a small hiccup, et cetera. But it poses a unique problem for roleplaying, because as it stands, you don't stay dead for long no matter what. So how do you deal with the implications of a world where death is less of a great beyond and, at most, a lost potential character title?

Continue reading Storyboard: The unshuffled mortal coil

MassivelyStoryboard: The unshuffled mortal coil originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstorycashing-inchecking-outcolumndeathdyingend-of-lifefeaturedgetting-snuffedjoining-the-choir-invisiblelorelosing-lifeopinionpining-for-the-fjordsroleplayingrpsettingstorystoryboardFri, 29 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Problem children, part the second]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/22/storyboard-problem-children-part-the-second/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/22/storyboard-problem-children-part-the-second/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/22/storyboard-problem-children-part-the-second/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Creating characters is hard work. It's hard enough when you're just concerned with making a really cool melee character who can kick other melee characters up and down the block, and it gets infinitely harder when you're trying to put together something that at least looks like a three-dimensional individual at the right angle. That having been said, there are certain ideas that are just problematic, character types that might seem like a good idea when you're staring at the screen but become a really bad one as soon as you hit "create."

Our last look at problem characters focused on the sort that you know you're creating at the time, the sort that sound nifty in your head but cause some serious problems in actual play. This time we're looking at the other side, the sort of thing that's far easier to notice while interacting with characters rather than while creating them. But it's still well worth keeping these types in mind so that if you start traveling down these roads, you can make a turn. On to the problem children!

Continue reading Storyboard: Problem children, part the second

MassivelyStoryboard: Problem children, part the second originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abilitiesbackgroundbackstorycharacter-advicecharacter-creationcharacter-developmentcharacter-typescharactersfeaturedloreroleplayingrpsettingstoryboardverisimilitudeFri, 22 Oct 2010 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIV releases new Gridania assets]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/16/final-fantasy-xiv-releases-new-gridania-assets/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/16/final-fantasy-xiv-releases-new-gridania-assets/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/16/final-fantasy-xiv-releases-new-gridania-assets/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

With only a few days left until release, Final Fantasy XIV has lifted the shroud surrounding the third of the starting city-states for new characters. Gridania, nestled in the Black Shroud, is a city built into the very structure of the wood around it, filled with reverence for the spirits and creatures that dwell in the environment. The newest pictures have been put together in a gallery showing off the environment of the city -- as well as a hint of the Garlean Empire.

A city of warm earth tones and expansive wooden buildings, Gridania manages to carry its own distinct feel from its sister cities, especially with the stained-glass architecture that dominates the adventurer's guild. While the preview images lack the callbacks that the recent Ul'dah reveal carried, they still show off an environment that is both engaging and alien. Take a look at the full gallery, and keep your eyes open to see if Final Fantasy XIV has any more secrets to reveal prior to next week's launch.

Gallery: Final Fantasy XIV Gridania preview

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XIV releases new Gridania assets originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>black-shroundcitiescitycity-statesempireenvironmentffff14ffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivforestgalleriesgarlean-empiregridaniaimagesscreenshotssettingsquaresquare-enixstarting-citiesthe-black-shrouduldahThu, 16 Sep 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Praetoria unveiled in depth for City of Heroes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/28/praetoria-unveiled-in-depth-for-city-of-heroes-embargo-until-1/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/28/praetoria-unveiled-in-depth-for-city-of-heroes-embargo-until-1/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/28/praetoria-unveiled-in-depth-for-city-of-heroes-embargo-until-1/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

If you play City of Heroes, you're probably not counting the days until the release of Going Rogue just yet, as it's a little too far in the future. (Fifty-one days if you count today, incidentally.) But August will be here before we know it, and today the official site takes a look at a portion of the expansion which is at once easy to forget and yet ubiquitous: the world of Praetoria itself, the utopia created through absolute power. As we've known for quite some time, it's similar and yet slightly different when compared to the setting of Paragon City -- both familiar and threatening.

Emperor Cole's near-total salvation of humanity resulted in a sweeping change of the world as a whole, as discussed in Tyrant's biography quite some time ago. Praetoria is a world without borders or nationalities, wherein everyone is a citizen of the empire rather than the panoply of countries in the real world. The tantalizing hints of the world's architecture are readily visible in our gallery, which showcases both the concept art and the in-game layouts of the major new setting for the expansion. Take a look at our gallery, and head to the official site for more information on the twisted mirror of City of Heroes.

Gallery: City of Heroes preview of Praetoria

MassivelyPraetoria unveiled in depth for City of Heroes originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artbackstorycity-of-heroescity-of-heroes-going-roguecity-of-villainscohcovcoxexpansiongallerygoing-roguelorencsoftparagonparagon-studiospraetoriapreviewsscreenshotssettingupcomingMon, 28 Jun 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Secret World broadcasts footage from the streets of Kingsmouth]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/01/the-secret-world-broadcasts-footage-from-the-streets-of-kingsmou/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/01/the-secret-world-broadcasts-footage-from-the-streets-of-kingsmou/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/01/the-secret-world-broadcasts-footage-from-the-streets-of-kingsmou/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

What horrors lie in Kingsmouth when the fog comes to rest? Well that's for you to find out!

Thanks to a tip from a certain Erling Ellingsen, we've been pointed to a brand new trailer for The Secret World. It seems that someone has hacked into the security cameras around Kingsmouth, giving us a look at the town's various areas. All of this is set to an unknown narrator explaining exactly how Kingsmouth turned from a small, All-American town into the black pit that it is today.

It's important to note, however, that this video is only a preview of the Kingsmouth location -- it's not a gameplay trailer. Erling attached this "quotable quote" in his e-mail: "This is a part of a ramp up of the communication we're doing around The Secret World. We wanted to give gamers a very quick glimpse into the game and the universe, without giving away exactly how the game looks in motion and in all its glory. We're saving that for GDC actually."

So GDC it is then! We'll be there! But, while you're all waiting for GDC, go on over to Gamespot and learn more about Kingsmouth. (Also, we saw your Lovecraft Lane street sign! We see your references!)

MassivelyThe Secret World broadcasts footage from the streets of Kingsmouth originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>erling-ellingsenh-p-lovecraftkingsmouthlocationlocation-reveallovecraftragnar-tornquistsettingthe-secret-worldtrailervideoMon, 01 Feb 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Earthrise shows off The Arboretum in developer journal]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/08/earthrise-shows-off-the-arboretum-in-developer-journal/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/08/earthrise-shows-off-the-arboretum-in-developer-journal/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/08/earthrise-shows-off-the-arboretum-in-developer-journal/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


The Earthrise developers at Masthead Studios are turning out a series of blogs which explains the various zones of the post-apocalyptic setting of Enterra island. These developer journals hosted on MMORPG.com introduce us to the varied terrain and its inhabitants, while framing it all in context of Earthrise's lore. So far they've walked us through the burnt out factories of the Industrial Area, the dangers of the Cascade Mountains, and what happens when mutant ecosystems collide in The Hatchery.

Their latest dev blog focuses on "The Arboretum" which is the refuge of the Nathura Society, largely comprised of scientists who maintain neutrality in the civil war between Enterra's main factions -- Continoma and Noir. The Nathura simply want to be left alone so they can pursue their ideal of engineering a truly symbiotic relationship between humans and the natural world.

Continue reading Earthrise shows off The Arboretum in developer journal

MassivelyEarthrise shows off The Arboretum in developer journal originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 08 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstorycascade-mountainscontinomadev-blogdev-blogsdeveloper-journalearthriseenterraenterra-islandindustrial-arealoremasthead-studiosmmorpg.comnathuranathura-societynew-titlesnoirpost-apocalypticsci-fisettingtanglersthe-arboretumthe-hatcheryvolvoxSat, 08 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Earthrise dev blog advances lore with The Hatchery]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/02/earthrise-dev-blog-advances-lore-with-the-hatchery/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/02/earthrise-dev-blog-advances-lore-with-the-hatchery/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/02/earthrise-dev-blog-advances-lore-with-the-hatchery/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Earthrise is an upcoming MMO where you will play as a survivor of nuclear and biological devastation from the Final Wars, living in humanity's sole refuge, a vast island called Enterra. The latest dev blog hosted at MMORPG.com from the Earthrise developers at Masthead Studios is called 'The Hatchery', which takes the game's lore a step forward. Or rather, it takes a step back to the centuries preceding the human race's rebirth via cloning technology.

In the years that humankind remained dormant in the Librarium (cloning facility), man-made nano-viruses altered the world's ecosystems. As the environment began to regenerate after nuclear annihilation, separate ocean ecosystems slowly emerged. A vast colony organism became dominant and sought to expand its growth to the surface world. As it evolved, it released swarms of spores that traveled through the ocean currents like scouts, which looked for a surface habitat with enough biomass to support the colony's next stage of life. It found Enterra.

Continue reading Earthrise dev blog advances lore with The Hatchery

MassivelyEarthrise dev blog advances lore with The Hatchery originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 02 Aug 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstoryearthriseenterralibrariumloremasthead-studiosmmorpg.comnew-titlespost-apocalypticsci-fisettingthe-hatcherythe-pioneersSun, 02 Aug 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online novel The Burning Life to focus on pirate factions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/28/eve-online-novel-the-burning-life-to-focus-on-pirate-factions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/28/eve-online-novel-the-burning-life-to-focus-on-pirate-factions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/28/eve-online-novel-the-burning-life-to-focus-on-pirate-factions/#commentsFiled under: , ,


For many players, EVE Online is a game where the developers provide the galactic setting of New Eden but it's them, the playerbase, who makes their own stories. They join together or band against their rivals in alliance warfare, drug cartels, pirate organizations, and industrial powerhouses. The complex interplay of involvements that allow the game's players to establish and destroy invariably triggers cascades of drama. This is the point of the sandbox design of the game, what you do in New Eden affects other players on some level.

For some players, EVE is just about their interactions with one another and the fiction underpinning of the game is of marginal concern. While not all players choose to immerse themselves in the game's backstory, the setting is actually quite rich -- built on roughly six years' worth of lore fleshed out in the Chronicles, short stories that provide snapshots of the various levels of activity in New Eden.

Continue reading EVE Online novel The Burning Life to focus on pirate factions

MassivelyEVE Online novel The Burning Life to focus on pirate factions originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstoryccp-abraxasdev-blogdev-blogsempyrean-ageeve-onlinefictionhjalti-danielssonlorenew-edennovelizationnovelspirate-factionssandboxsci-fisettingstorylinethe-burning-lifethe-empyrean-agetony-gonzalesTue, 28 Jul 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively Interview: Masthead Studios' CEO on Earthrise and freedom of choice]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/03/massively-interviews-masthead-studios-ceo-on-earthrise-and-freed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/03/massively-interviews-masthead-studios-ceo-on-earthrise-and-freed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/03/massively-interviews-masthead-studios-ceo-on-earthrise-and-freed/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


There is a slow but steady shift in direction in the MMO industry from being dominated by fantasy titles to one where gamers have other options, namely in terms of sci-fi and post-apocalyptic games. The smaller game studios producing these titles have some big challenges ahead of them, not the least of which is whether or not MMO gamers will embrace settings and gameplay elements that depart from the fantasy MMO paradigm. One of those newcomers to the MMO scene is Masthead Studios who are developing the post-apocalyptic Earthrise.

This first title from Masthead Studios will present gamers with a futuristic, dystopian setting where two major factions struggle for control over the island of Enterra, the last refuge of humanity after the burn. Continoma are the technocratic elite; they hold the keys to genetic immortality and enforce their ordered societal views on the population they've resurrected. The game's other major faction, Noir, is a shadow government -- the resistance. Earthrise's setting and factional struggles aren't limited to simple right-and-wrong scenarios, though, and this carries over to the gameplay. Players or guilds may align with one faction or another for their own benefit, but the game's numerous sub-factions provide other options for allegiances, or even the possibility of shifting those allegiances.

We had the opportunity to see Earthrise firsthand at GDC 2009 but we've always got more questions. Fortunately, Masthead Studios was willing to oblige. We've had another chance to speak with Masthead Studios CEO Atanas Atanasov about some of the core concepts and lore behind Earthrise, and how their approach to the game and the genre should allow a great deal of freedom for players.

Gallery: Earthrise

Continue reading Massively Interview: Masthead Studios' CEO on Earthrise and freedom of choice

MassivelyMassively Interview: Masthead Studios' CEO on Earthrise and freedom of choice originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atanas-atanasovbackstorychoicecontinomadystopiaearthisefactionsfeaturedgame-mechanicsguild-vs-guildguildsinterviewsloremassively-interviewsmasthead-studiosnoirpost-apocalypticsandboxsci-fisettingWed, 03 Jun 2009 18:00:00 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[Star Trek Online producer blog explains early choices made in development]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/17/star-trek-online-producer-blog-explains-early-choices-made-in-de/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/17/star-trek-online-producer-blog-explains-early-choices-made-in-de/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/17/star-trek-online-producer-blog-explains-early-choices-made-in-de/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


One of the massively multiplayer online titles eagerly awaited by sci-fi fans is Star Trek Online, currently in development at Cryptic Studios. Star Trek Online's executive producer Craig Zinkievich has written a dev blog for MMORPG.com titled "Focusing the Experience." Zinkievich discusses that initial excitement the Cryptic Studios team had when they obtained the license to create Star Trek Online, and the process of deciding what the IP's MMO universe should encompass.

This was no small task. The Star Trek universe spans decades across multiple television incarnations and film, so the challenge wasn't so much about what to include, but what not to include while making sure that the setting is fleshed out. The developers asked themselves how they could make the MMO universe of Star Trek Online a place where there's more to being part of the setting than energizing transporters all day. And how to incorporate the roles of characters seen in Star Trek television and film into the MMO?

Continue reading Star Trek Online producer blog explains early choices made in development

MassivelyStar Trek Online producer blog explains early choices made in development originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Mar 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>craig-zinkievichcryptic-studiosculturedesign-decisionsdev-blogexecutive-producergame-mechanicsiploremmo-industrymmorpg.comprofessionssci-fisettingstar-trek-onlinestoTue, 17 Mar 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Aion video tour shows off the Altgard zone]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/20/aion-video-tour-shows-off-the-altgard-zone/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/20/aion-video-tour-shows-off-the-altgard-zone/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/20/aion-video-tour-shows-off-the-altgard-zone/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


A number of fantasy MMO gamers who are looking for an aerial twist on combat, or simply the ability to soar, are looking forward to Aion: The Tower of Eternity. The latest title from NCsoft is expected to release sometime in Fall 2009, and the developer has been releasing a series of zone tour videos to stoke people's interest in the game.

The latest video NCsoft has released shows off the Altgard Zone, with panoramic otherworldly scenes of the world's surface and even its subterranean depths. If you're interested in seeing Aion's Altgard, we've got a YouTube embed of the video for you below the cut.

Continue reading Aion video tour shows off the Altgard zone

MassivelyAion video tour shows off the Altgard zone originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Feb 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-the-tower-of-eternityaltgardbig-downloadfantasyhdhigh-defmmo-industryncsoftpreviewsscenerysettingvideoyoutubeFri, 20 Feb 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Facebook users get first peek at EVE 'Apocrypha' video]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/16/facebook-users-get-first-peek-at-eve-apocrypha-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/16/facebook-users-get-first-peek-at-eve-apocrypha-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/16/facebook-users-get-first-peek-at-eve-apocrypha-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Facebook users got a first look at the in-game video opening for EVE Online's next expansion, Apocrypha, earlier today. The narration explains a fundamental aspect of the game's lore, that as a capsuleer in EVE, you're essentially an immortal and often viewed as a demigod. But in the game's setting of New Eden, you're faced with others of your caliber, individuals as driven to succeed and rule as you are.

No further details about the new features in Apocrypha are revealed in the video, aside from a superimposed iris and wormhole. Unfortunately a download or embed isn't available at the time of writing, but a working cut of the footage can be viewed on the EVE Online Facebook page.

MassivelyFacebook users get first peek at EVE 'Apocrypha' video originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 16 Feb 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apocryphacapsuleercapsuleersccpccp-gameseveeve-onlineexpansionsfacebooklorenew-edenpreviewssci-fisettingsocial-networkingtrailerstrue-explorationvideowormhole-explorationMon, 16 Feb 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online getting audio revamp]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/06/eve-online-getting-audio-revamp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/06/eve-online-getting-audio-revamp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/06/eve-online-getting-audio-revamp/#commentsFiled under: , ,


The music in a massively multiplayer online game tends to be an unappreciated aspect of the gameplay experience. When we play games we primarily notice the visual. Although the ambient sound surrounding us helps set the tone, it's almost always less commented upon. This is a shame because there really is some excellent music that's created for these games.

EVE Online is a game that has some rather unique music that, for some, fits the galactic setting of New Eden. But still, a number of EVE players opt to turn the music off and play to their own soundtrack. EVE players who are really into the music that permeates the game will love the latest dev blog from CCP RealX. He details how he's created the game's music in the past, both in terms of hardware and software, as well as his approach to his work. RealX says, "I tried to make use of the panning as a compositional element, making swells and sweeps come up from behind and sweep past the listener." But he's looking to make EVE's music a bit more engaging as time goes on, giving more players less of a reason to disable the sound in favor of their own iTunes library, stating "what doesn't grow must wither and die."

Continue reading EVE Online getting audio revamp

MassivelyEVE Online getting audio revamp originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 06 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audioccpccp-gamesccp-realxeveeve-onlineitunesmusicrealxscoresettingsoundtrackSat, 06 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE illustrator breathes a dark, gritty life into the game's setting]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/08/eve-illustrator-breathes-a-dark-gritty-life-into-the-games-set/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/08/eve-illustrator-breathes-a-dark-gritty-life-into-the-games-set/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/08/eve-illustrator-breathes-a-dark-gritty-life-into-the-games-set/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Writer Annalee Newitz from the sci-fi centric io9 blog recently took a look at some of EVE Online's memorable artwork, by Icelandic concept designer B. Börkur Eiríksson (apparently also known as "Nag" according to The Art of EVE book). Börkur has been the Lead Artist/Illustrator at CCP Games since 2004, imbuing New Eden's futuristic backstory with his very dark, gritty style that really helps set the tone. On Börkur's "Industra" -- a depiction of a gloomy, burn out industrial city -- Newitz writes, "This image of a future city... feels to me like some anachronistic mashup of impressionist art and science fiction. The people in their hats and bonnets look almost nineteenth century..."

io9 has a sampling of Börkur's artwork, but his online gallery -- Björn Börkur Eiríksson: Industrium -- is the prime place to find numerous examples of his work, divided between Concepts/Illustrations and Sketches/Speedpaints. EVE Online fans will recognize much of this artwork, which has been featured alongside fiction appearing in E-ON magazine and the official site's Chronicles over the years. If you're a fan of unidealized depictions of the future -- hell, if you just liked Blade Runner -- you'll probably appreciate the artwork of B. Börkur Eiríksson.

[Via CrazyKinux]

MassivelyEVE illustrator breathes a dark, gritty life into the game's setting originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Oct 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>annalee-newitzart-of-eveb-borkur-eirikssonbackstoryblade-runnerccpccp-gameseveeve-onlinefuturefuturisticillustrationillustratorindustraindustriumio9io9.comlead-artistlead-illustratornew-edensettingthe-art-of-eveWed, 08 Oct 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online films nominated for Machinima Filmfest 2008 awards]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/07/eve-online-films-nominated-for-machinima-filmfest-2008-awards/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/07/eve-online-films-nominated-for-machinima-filmfest-2008-awards/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/07/eve-online-films-nominated-for-machinima-filmfest-2008-awards/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


CCP Games announced that two EVE Online machinima have made the list of nominees for awards at Machinima Filmfest 2008: "Clear Skies" and "Havoc." The Machinima Festival is one of the major machinima events held annually. The full day event will take place on November 1st in New York City.

Clear Skies is an imaginative blend of EVE Online's galactic backdrop with Half-Life 2 character models, and is a Best Long Format nominee. Much of the film takes place within ship and station interiors, and represents two years of hard work by its creator, Ian Chisholm, as well as Richie Powles and John Guthrie. Clear Skies has been well-received by the EVE Community, with the announcement thread garnering 50 pages of praise and climbing.

Havoc is a newer machinima, nominated for Best Sound Design, Best Short Format, and Best Voice Acting. Havoc was created by Anil Kamath (Sound Design and Music), Chris Newcombe (Visual Design and Editing), and voiced by Sarah Murray. Like Clear Skies, Havoc is proving to be quite popular with the EVE playerbase, but holds appeal for a more general audience as well. The film is short, clocking in at one minute in length, but in that time nicely juxtaposes the grit of New Eden's setting with gorgeous visuals filmed within EVE. Like Clear Skies, Havoc is well worth a look. Video embeds of both machinima are found below the cut:

Continue reading EVE Online films nominated for Machinima Filmfest 2008 awards

MassivelyEVE Online films nominated for Machinima Filmfest 2008 awards originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anil-kamathbackstoryccpccp-gameschribbachris-newcombeclear-skieseveeve-fileseve-onlinehalf-life-2half-life2havocian-chisholmjohn-guthrieloremachinimamachinima-filmfestmachinima-filmfest-2008new-edenrichie-powlessarah-murraysci-fisettingvideoTue, 07 Oct 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Cryptic explains how Star Trek Online will handle canon]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/05/ask-cryptic-explains-how-star-trek-online-will-handle-canon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/05/ask-cryptic-explains-how-star-trek-online-will-handle-canon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/05/ask-cryptic-explains-how-star-trek-online-will-handle-canon/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


The latest Ask Cryptic focusing on Star Trek Online addresses a number of questions sci-fi fans have about where the IP is heading in the MMO space. Not surprisingly, many of the questions asked of Cryptic deal with how well they'll adhere to Star Trek canon.

The Cryptic Studios devs were asked about how they would handle the iconic story and characters of Star Trek, namely with voiceovers and cut scenes. The devs state that Star Trek Online avoids issues of tampering with Trekkie canon by setting the game in 2409, a good 30 years after Star Trek: Nemesis and Star Trek: Voyager. So while some of the locales familiar to Star Trek fans will be present in the game, players shouldn't expect to bump into any (or many) familiar faces.

Continue reading Ask Cryptic explains how Star Trek Online will handle canon

MassivelyAsk Cryptic explains how Star Trek Online will handle canon originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-crypticbackstorycanoncaptain-janewaycaptain-picardcrypticcryptic-studioscut-scenecut-scenesdefiantforumsfuturegame-mechanicsipjanewaylorenemesisnew-titlespicardpsionicspvpracesroleplayingscalesci-fisettingshipshipsstar-trekstar-trek-onlinestarshipstrekkietrekkiesvoiceoversFri, 05 Sep 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Funcom endorses Age of Conan graphic fiction]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/04/funcom-endorses-age-of-conan-graphic-fiction/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/04/funcom-endorses-age-of-conan-graphic-fiction/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/04/funcom-endorses-age-of-conan-graphic-fiction/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

GameZone is producing a series of original fiction set in Age of Conan's Hyboria, which deals with the world's characters and lore. The series is created by Michael Lafferty and is a blend of short fiction, comic art, and graphic panel storytelling using in-game screenshots. Lafferty has Funcom's blessing on this; an announcement at the official AoC community site leaves no doubt that they've given their express permission.

Lafferty's fiction begins with 'In Service to a King' and continues with 'Deliverance from the Sea' and 'In the Shadow of the Volcano.' More stories are to follow. GameZone has one caveat about the series, though: "Some of these stories may contain spoilers for quests, so by Crom, be forewarned!" It's doubtful that spoiler quests will keep people from checking out the series, so have a look at Michael Lafferty's work and sound off if you like what he's doing.

MassivelyFuncom endorses Age of Conan graphic fiction originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 Jun 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conancharacterconancromfantasyfictionfuncomgamezonegraphichyborialoremichael-laffertysettingstorytellingworldWed, 04 Jun 2008 19:00:00 EST