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[The Daily Grind: Would you play an adult MMO?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/the-daily-grind-would-you-play-an-adult-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/the-daily-grind-would-you-play-an-adult-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/the-daily-grind-would-you-play-an-adult-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Age of Conan - CasildaYesterday we told you about an adult MMO called Orgia Romanus that's causing a stir due to its focus on sexual content. While the game is certainly taking an over-the-top approach, it's by no means the first MMO to walk this path.

Indie titles like Sociolotron and portions of virtual worlds like Second Life are renowned for their focus on various taboo topics, while more traditional titles like Age of Conan and Mortal Online have dabbled in avatar nudity and adult-oriented quests.

But what if an MMO came along that managed to incorporate adult topics in a manner devoid of sensationalism? Sure, it's a tall order, but let's assume it's possible. Would you play it, or do you steer clear of anything with the "adult" label?

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: Would you play an adult MMO? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 May 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adult-contentadult-mmodaily-grindopinionsexsex-in-mmostabootdgthe-daily-grindTue, 22 May 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Orgia Romanus MMO looks to 'facilitate sexual interactions between players']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/orgia-romanus-mmo-looks-to-facilitate-sexual-interactions-betwe/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/orgia-romanus-mmo-looks-to-facilitate-sexual-interactions-betwe/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/orgia-romanus-mmo-looks-to-facilitate-sexual-interactions-betwe/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Orgia Romanus - yep, really
Sex in MMOs isn't particularly new, especially given the titillating ad campaigns that accompany your average fantasy title. Orgia Romanus is new, and it's aiming higher (or lower) than scantily clad elven babes. One of its gameplay goals "is to facilitate sexual interactions between players," according to a FoxySoft Gaming press release.

FoxySoft is the brainchild of Alex Allen, a former artist and project director at Acclaim and Sony Online Entertainment. In mechanical terms, Orgia Romanus looks to marry traditional merchant-, politician-, and warrior-centric play with sexual content. Gamers will become "engaged emotionally as they are allowed to build relationships with other players that help them advance through the game," FoxySoft says.

Full development on Orgia Romanus will commence after a crowdfunding campaign scheduled for next month. A playable demo is expected this fall.

[Source: FoxySoft Games press release]

MassivelyOrgia Romanus MMO looks to 'facilitate sexual interactions between players' originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 May 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adult-mmoalex-allenfoxy-softfoxysoftfoxysoft-gamesfoxysoft-gaminggame-of-bonesmmo-orgyorgia-romanusorgyorgy-mmosexsex-in-mmosMon, 21 May 2012 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Virtual Whirl: Ill-repute]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/17/the-virtual-whirl-ill-repute/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/17/the-virtual-whirl-ill-repute/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/17/the-virtual-whirl-ill-repute/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Virtual environments have a generally poor reputation in many quarters, particularly in the mass-media. Much of that reputation is ill-deserved, and some of it is entirely fabricated (eg: by the mass-media).

I have to ask, what's the big deal?

Continue reading The Virtual Whirl: Ill-repute

MassivelyThe Virtual Whirl: Ill-repute originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 17 Jul 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>celestial-steedcelestial-steed-mountcultureeconomyfashionfeaturedopinionsecond-lifesexsparkle-ponythe-virtual-whirlvirtual-worldsworld-of-warcraftSat, 17 Jul 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Virtual Whirl: The secret sauce]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/22/the-virtual-whirl-the-secret-sauce/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/22/the-virtual-whirl-the-secret-sauce/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/22/the-virtual-whirl-the-secret-sauce/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Virtual environments evince a significant lack of mainstream adoption. Relatively tiny percentages of the world population are involved in them in any way online. There's something clearly missing.

At the present time, virtual environments simply lack any compelling reason to exist that motivates mainstream users and might drive mainstream adoption. There's no killer app, or secret sauce that gets large numbers of people thinking "I want to get me some of that!"

Continue reading The Virtual Whirl: The secret sauce

MassivelyThe Virtual Whirl: The secret sauce originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 22 May 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>culturedisabilityeducationfeaturedgamingopensimopinionpornographysexthe-virtual-whirlvirtual-worldsSat, 22 May 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Age of Conan GM fired amidst in-game sex scandal]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/14/age-of-conan-gm-fired-amidst-in-game-sex-scandal/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/14/age-of-conan-gm-fired-amidst-in-game-sex-scandal/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/14/age-of-conan-gm-fired-amidst-in-game-sex-scandal/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

An Age of Conan player tricked a naïve, Funcom-employed Game Master (an in-game customer service representative) into pursuing cybersex with him. The player posed as a female playing a male character and enticed the male GM with flirtatious remarks and innuendos. After the GM fully threw himself into the moment, the player revealed that he was male, and that the conversation had been a prank.

Friends of the player posted screenshots of the conversation on MMORPG's forums, and the ensuing controversy led Funcom to fire the GM for unacceptable behavior and violation of the customer service guidelines. Destructoid then interviewed the prankster and hosted the unedited version of the conversation screenshots.

Frankly, we're not sure who is the bigger jackass -- the GM for his unprofessional behavior, or the player for baiting him into it. Everyone seems to have his or her own unique interpretation of this fiasco.

[Via Big Download]

MassivelyAge of Conan GM fired amidst in-game sex scandal originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 14 Aug 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanaoccontroversycscustomer-servicecyber-sexfiredflirtingfuncomgame-mastergmscandalscreenshotssexThu, 14 Aug 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Player vs. Everything: Online Games and Sex]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/30/player-vs-everything-online-games-and-sex/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/30/player-vs-everything-online-games-and-sex/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/30/player-vs-everything-online-games-and-sex/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

As humans, sex is something that plays a very important role in our lives and personal experiences. It's a pretty universal and emotionally charged topic that can dramatically influence how we think of ourselves and how we view our relationships with other people. Even outside of the act itself, ideas about sex and human relationships shape the way we act, the way we dress, the way we live, and the people we associate with. Dealing with the complicated issues surrounding sex is part of the human condition. It's not at all surprising that sex is frequently portrayed in all forms of media which attempt to explore that human experience. However, are video games (and specifically online games) really ready to examine this topic?

There was a really interesting lecture posted by the videogame news blog Rock, Paper, Shotgun a few days ago in which Daniel Floyd discussed the topic of sex in video games. His key point is that if video games are going to attempt to explore the topic of sex effectively, they need to portray it in a way that ties it to relationships and intimacy. Watching the video made me start thinking about how sex is portrayed in MMOGs, especially with the recent launch of Age of Conan, a game that sold itself as a "mature title" with strong violence and sexuality. After a lot of reflection on the topic, I really don't think that mainstream online games are ready to explore sexuality, nor are they even capable of portraying it tastefully with their current limitations.

Continue reading Player vs. Everything: Online Games and Sex

MassivelyPlayer vs. Everything: Online Games and Sex originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 May 2008 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conancyber-sexfeaturedjoystiqfeaturesnarrativesecond-lifesexsexualsexualitystorystorytellingworld-of-warcraftFri, 30 May 2008 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Playboy hints at creating their own virtual world]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/10/playboy-hints-at-creating-their-own-virtual-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/10/playboy-hints-at-creating-their-own-virtual-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/10/playboy-hints-at-creating-their-own-virtual-world/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Sex sells, as they say. For this reason, it makes perfect sense for Playboy to create their own branded virtual world. They already lay claim to one of the most popular company-sponsored islands in Second Life, so why not branch off and create their own virtual world?

Playboy chairperson and CEO Christie Hefner recently discussed the company's plans for the future, indicating the possibility of their own virtual world. We think this is an inevitable step in the direction of social networking and virtual worlds in which many major companies are recently realizing the possibilities. This, of course begs the question: do we really need separate virtual worlds for each major company, or is a one-stop-shop a more viable alternative? With the advent of MetaPlace approaching, and the wild success of Second Life, it will be interesting to gauge the market trends in regards to businesses populating established virtual worlds, or creating their own.

MassivelyPlayboy hints at creating their own virtual world originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 10 May 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hefnermetaplaceplayboysecond-lifesexvirtual-worldsSat, 10 May 2008 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The week in Massively features]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/27/the-week-in-massively-features/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/27/the-week-in-massively-features/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/27/the-week-in-massively-features/#commentsFiled under: ,

MMO Mash-up: Age of Hello Kitty
Welcome to a new column here at Massively, where I'll take two massively multiplayer online games and chop them up into little pieces, so I can put them back together with electrical tape and staples. This is the MMO Mashup, where you can expect to see everything from the startlingly strange to the ubiquitously unusual. Lets get straight into it then, with the pink-yet-dark world of Age of Hello Kitty.
Massively goes hands-on with LotRO Book 13 video
We could write reams of text that describe in loving detail all the features that await you in Lord of the Rings Online's Book 13 content patch. We could lay out screenshot after screenshot that could perfectly capture the chilly northlands that are being introduced, the eerie agent of Angmar who is tearing apart the land or the monstrous beasts that roam the wintry tundra.
MMOGology: Sex games
What are the risqué features in Age of Conan and what will their implementation mean for future MMOGs? If Age of Conan is successful can we expect other developers to push the envelope further, or has someone already beaten them to the punch? If you're easily offended you may wish to skip what follows after the break.
Massively Speaking Podcast Episode 2
Massively Speaking Episode 2 runs down news and features from Massively.com for the week of April 14th-20th. Shawn and Michael are joined by blogging regulars Akela Talamasca and Jonathan Northwood to talk about the next LOTRO Book, the Epic Villain Archetype video, and (of course) Age of Conan!
The next EverQuest 2 expansion is ...
So what is the Shadow of Odyssey? There are so many unexplored plot threads in the Norrath of EQ2, and the title is so vague, that it could be almost anything. Still, we have a few good ideas. If we had to put money on it, we'd bet that the shadow in question has something to do with the Void, and the mysterious Shadowmen. Or, Odyssey could refer to the long-lost homeland of the Erudites, the magic-weaving spellsmiths of yore.

Continue reading The week in Massively features

MassivelyThe week in Massively features originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 27 Apr 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conaneverquest-2featuredhello-kittylord-of-the-rings-onlinepodcastsexweek-in-mv-featuresSun, 27 Apr 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMOGology: Sex games]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/21/mmogology-sex-games/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/21/mmogology-sex-games/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/21/mmogology-sex-games/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Can you feel it coming? With less than a month until Conan's release, the pressure cooker of excitement building for the new MMOG by Funcom is about to blow its load. At least part of this excitement stems from the fact that Age of Conan deals with mature themes. Unlike the cartoony World of Warcraft and cutesy Hello Kitty Online, Age of Conan is embracing what they call a "dark, decadent, twisted and corrupt version of Euro-Asian history." Aside from the prominent head lopping and blood letting we're also getting a side dish of sex; something we haven't really seen before in a prominent, commercial MMOG.

The idea of sex in video games is not new. You can go as far back as text based adventures like Farmer's Daughter on the Commodore 64, crude, arcade-style games like Custer's Revenge for the Atari 2600, or the multi-platform adventure game series Leisure Suit Larry that first kicked off back in 1987. Many early titles were so graphically crude that they left absolutely everything to the imagination. But as technology has evolved, so have the dirty minds of developers. And where dirty minded developers have come up short, many gamers have created modifications to fulfill their fantasies. Would you like some hot coffee while you wait to download the Lara Croft nude patch?

Given the heavy censorship present in the games industry it's actually surprising that Age of Conan will ship with a few lewd features in tact. With an M rating, Conan is one of the first MMOGs that's pre-screening its playerbase and tossing out the kiddies (along with the associated revenue stream from their parents). So what are the risqué features in Age of Conan and what will their implementation mean for future MMOGs? If Age of Conan is successful can we expect other developers to push the envelope further, or has someone already beaten them to the punch? If you're easily offended you may wish to skip what follows after the break.

Continue reading MMOGology: Sex games

MassivelyMMOGology: Sex games originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conancybersexfeaturedfuncomjoystiqfeaturesprostitutesprostitutionsexsexualMon, 21 Apr 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Study shows men's brains hard-wired for games]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/19/study-shows-mens-brains-hard-wired-for-games/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/19/study-shows-mens-brains-hard-wired-for-games/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/19/study-shows-mens-brains-hard-wired-for-games/#commentsFiled under: ,


When it comes to gaming, the popular perception is that it's a man's domain. (Of course, you'd be hard pressed to make that point around Massively HQ, as many of our most prolific writers and senior bloggers are of the fairer sex.) Traditionally, this has been pinned on sociological factors that discourage women from developing as close a relation with computers as men. While there is still probably a kernel of truth to that, a new study out of the Stanford University School of Medicine points to biological factors hard-wired into the brain as the cause. Reportedly, MRI scans taken of both men and women while playing a simple game showed a marked difference in the areas of the brain responsible for feelings of reward and addiction. Men simply got more of a buzz out of games than women, by and large.

What amused me was the description of the game they used in testing, which they described as having no real prescribed goal -- the test subjects simply clicked a series of images depicting balls as they slowly approached a wall. The more quickly they clicked the images, the more ground they gained. Without any instruction, the men in the study "appeared more motivated to acquire terrain." No real prescribed goal? Players motivating themselves to acquire terrain? Feelings of reward and addiction? If I didn't know any better, I'd swear they were using an MMO for that study! At the same time, short of casual Popcap-style games, MMOs probably enjoy one of the highest female to male ratios in the industry, so I'd stop short of saying that sociology has nothing to do with it. Still, very interesting stuff.

MassivelyStudy shows men's brains hard-wired for games originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Feb 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biological-factorsbrainsmennew-york-timesnytimessexstanfordstanford-university-school-of-medicinestudywomenTue, 19 Feb 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Behind the Curtain: Sex sells]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/22/behind-the-curtain-sex-sells/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/22/behind-the-curtain-sex-sells/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/22/behind-the-curtain-sex-sells/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Sex sells. This is one of the most basic premises of advertising. Sex is used to sell a truly unbelievable amount of products. Sex is even used to sell computer games, so what would happen if we were able to sell sex?

Prostitution is called 'the oldest profession', so what if we treated it like any other profession in MMOs and started charging for it? The amount of people in MMOs today is truly mind-blowing. With a combined player-base of that size, you can be sure that a good few people are cybering in-game at any given time.

I'm not saying that everyone, or even most, of the people playing an MMO right now take part in cybering, because that's simply not true. Plenty of people rely on simple IM clients like AIM or Windows Messenger to find cyber-sex partners. But what if your game had licensed, regulated, well-run brothels staffed with reputable players? You might just find that people fall over themselves to start playing your game.

Continue reading Behind the Curtain: Sex sells

MassivelyBehind the Curtain: Sex sells originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Nov 2007 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cyber-sexfeaturedopinionsexworld-of-warcraftwowThu, 22 Nov 2007 11:30:00 EST