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 Firing Line: American aircraft and a real-life shooter]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/23/the-firing-line-american-aircraft-and-a-real-life-shooter/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/23/the-firing-line-american-aircraft-and-a-real-life-shooter/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/23/the-firing-line-american-aircraft-and-a-real-life-shooter/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Firing Line - banner with shooter avatars
What's happening, shooter fans? Hopefully everyone's getting ready for a long holiday weekend filled with family, food, and gaming (of course). Several interesting online shooter nuggets came across my desk this week, including a deeper look at World of Warplanes, a Firefall beta clarification, and some sexy new DUST 514 details.

Also, would you believe a real-life -- and real, live -- online FPS featuring actual locations?

Continue reading The Firing Line: American aircraft and a real-life shooter

MassivelyThe Firing Line: American aircraft and a real-life shooter originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Firing Line - Header with various shooter characters
What's up folks, and welcome to The Firing Line. We've been branching out our coverage lately, first with MMO-specific columns and then with Not So Massively and MOBAs. Now we're doing something similar with online shooters. This genre is positively huge, and while there's a lot of room for debate in terms of what constitutes an MMO shooter, there's also no denying that all of the games hovering around the periphery of that designation are a lot of fun.

So what will we be talking about in The Firing Line? Well, this is the part where I rub my hands together in anticipation! Naturally we'll spend a lot of time with the genre's big guns (sorry, I had to use that at least once), so I'll be playing huge amounts of PlanetSide 2, DUST 514, Firefall, Global Agenda, and the semi-obscure free-to-play titles crowding the market -- all in an effort to bring you the very best news and views from the world of pew pew.

Continue reading The Firing Line: Tribes impressions and a visit to Hi-Rez

MassivelyThe Firing Line: Tribes impressions and a visit to Hi-Rez originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 Nov 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alpha-testbetaclassesdisc-jumpingexclusivef2pfeaturedfiring-linefpsfree-to-playgame-mechanicsglobal-agendahi-rezhi-rez-studiosjetpacksmmo-shootermmofpsmmotpsopinionsci-fishootershootersskiingsmitespin-fuserspinfuserspinfusersstudio-visitthe-firing-linetodd-harristribestribes-ascendtribes-universevideoFri, 04 Nov 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Firefall announces beta, details launch]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/04/firefall-announces-beta-details-launch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/04/firefall-announces-beta-details-launch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/04/firefall-announces-beta-details-launch/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Firefall Screenshot
Mark Kern, CEO of Red 5 Studios, dropped by the Firefall forums today to write an open letter to The Escapist regarding Firefall's beta testing and launch. In the post, Mr. Kern states that the game is currently in friends and family beta testing. But there's good news for those of you who aren't friends or family of the folks at Red 5: The expanded beta program will begin later this month after PAX Prime.

As far as the game's launch is concerned, Mr. Kern goes on to explain that the team already considers the game to be launched, as Red 5 seems to feel that the traditional closed beta to open beta to launch process is outdated "in a modern, online, service oriented business, especially a free2playgame." Instead, they will be modeling the game's launch after Gmail's invite system, wherein certain players will be invited by the team, and those players will receive invitations that they can pass on to friends, thereby allowing the game to gradually grow as layers of invitations are passed around. Stick around for more, because you can bet we'll have the first news on the beta this month after PAX.

MassivelyFirefall announces beta, details launch originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betaclosed-betaf2pfirefallfree-to-playlaunchlaunch-detailsmark-kernmmo-shootermmotpsopen-betared-5red-5-studiosshootersThu, 04 Aug 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Not So Massively Extra: Hi-Rez talks Gamescom plans and shows off first SMITE screens]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/03/not-so-massively-extra-hi-rez-talks-gamescom-plans-and-shows-of/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/03/not-so-massively-extra-hi-rez-talks-gamescom-plans-and-shows-of/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/03/not-so-massively-extra-hi-rez-talks-gamescom-plans-and-shows-of/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Gamescom is just around the corner, and Hi-Rez Studios is gearing up to show off two new titles at the Cologne trade show on August 17th. The makers of Global Agenda are bringing a demo version of Tribes: Ascend to the event and will also be unveiling SMITE, a MOBA announced last April that features battles between gods from various mythologies.

Hi-Rez COO Todd Harris will also be talking up the future of Global Agenda, and senior designer Travis Brown will be answering SMITE-related questions as players get their hands on the initial demo version of the title. SMITE is built on the Unreal Engine 3, and Hi-Rez has released the first two screenshots of the game which we've got for you after the break.

Continue reading Not So Massively Extra: Hi-Rez talks Gamescom plans and shows off first SMITE screens

MassivelyNot So Massively Extra: Hi-Rez talks Gamescom plans and shows off first SMITE screens originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consconventionseventsfantasygamescomgamescom-2011global-agendahi-rezhi-rez-studiosmmo-shootermobanot-so-massivelypress-releasereal-life-eventssci-fiShooterstodd-harristravis-browntribestribes-ascendWed, 03 Aug 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[E3 2011: Trion Worlds talks Defiance]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/e3-2011-trion-worlds-talks-defiance/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/e3-2011-trion-worlds-talks-defiance/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/e3-2011-trion-worlds-talks-defiance/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Straight from E3, we have some brand-new information on the upcoming project Defiance from Trion Worlds and Syfy. Three members of Trion Worlds got up on stage to demo the game and answer questions from the audience (which included our own Rubi Bayer), and there's a wealth of new information to cover, so let's dive in, shall we? Follow on past the cut for all the Defiance goodness you could ask for.

Continue reading E3 2011: Trion Worlds talks Defiance

MassivelyE3 2011: Trion Worlds talks Defiance originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cross-platformdefiancee3e3-2011featuredmmo-shootermmofpsmulti-platformqashootershooterssyfytriontrion-worldsWed, 08 Jun 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC10: Land of Chaos Online interview]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/gdc10-land-of-chaos-online-interview/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/gdc10-land-of-chaos-online-interview/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/gdc10-land-of-chaos-online-interview/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

MMOs are a strange genre without many of the clearly-defined borders for something that is or isn't a part of the field. Not surprisingly, there's a lot of innovation in the field that's confined strictly to the absolute edges of what could be considered an MMO. Games such as MAG and Global Agenda feature several shooter conventions mixed with several MMO conventions, and it's an interesting formula. Land of Chaos Online is pushing the formula as well, by adding in third-person shooter elements to a Defense of the Ancients-style match format.

The game is on the outer edge of the genre, but it draws much of its gameplay and feel from MMOs, with a strong emphasis on coupled character persistence and more shooter-style elements. We caught up with Achim Kaspers, managing director of Burda:ic, during GDC to talk about what the game would play like and get an idea of what we could expect. More information on this unique game after the cut.

Continue reading GDC10: Land of Chaos Online interview

MassivelyGDC10: Land of Chaos Online interview originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelsdefense-of-the-ancientsdotaf2pfeaturedfree-aimingfree-to-playgame-mechanicsgdc-2010instancinginterviewsitem-shopland-of-chaos-onlinelocopricingshootersteam-fortress-2third-person-shooterThu, 11 Mar 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MAG review highlights strengths and flaws of the console MMOFPS]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/30/mag-review-highlights-strengths-and-flaws-of-the-console-mmofps/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/30/mag-review-highlights-strengths-and-flaws-of-the-console-mmofps/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/30/mag-review-highlights-strengths-and-flaws-of-the-console-mmofps/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


MAG is a PlayStation 3-exclusive MMOFPS title we've been keeping our eyes on at Massively. The inevitable debate aside about whether Zipper Interactive's title is an MMO or not -- yes, tanks and guns replace dragons and magic spells -- the game accommodates up to 256 players in a zone at a time. The idea of FPS gameplay with that many people at such a high degree of graphical detail is pretty mind-boggling, and it's something we've explored a bit in the MAG beta. Our parent site Joystiq recently sat down with the game now that it's officially launched and wrote a short MAG review.

Joystiq's Griffin McElroy gives a brief overview of MAG's gameplay and his assessment of the title's merits and flaws. That idea of 128 players per side doesn't mean you'll all be charging towards your opponents in one awesome wave, he notes. Rather, you'll typically be interacting with your fellow soldiers on a squad level (4-8 people) to achieve objectives, with multiple squads comprising platoons, and four such platoons forming an army.

Continue reading MAG review highlights strengths and flaws of the console MMOFPS

MassivelyMAG review highlights strengths and flaws of the console MMOFPS originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 30 Jan 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consolesgame-mechanicsjoystiqmagmmofpsplaystation-3pvpreviewsshooterswarZipper-InteractiveSat, 30 Jan 2010 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Redefining MMOs: The Shooter Invasion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/18/redefining-mmos-the-shooter-invasion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/18/redefining-mmos-the-shooter-invasion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/18/redefining-mmos-the-shooter-invasion/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,


The MMO industry is always changing, and if we're going to stay ahead of the curve, we need to re-evaluate some of our views and ingrained notions from time to time. The Redefining MMOs series at Massively is our look at the state of massively multiplayer online games as it is today, and where we see it going. This week we're going to look at how shooters have invaded the MMO space, give you a run-down of some promising MMO shooters on the horizon, and finally tackle the question of whether or not they should be covered here at Massively.

Something we're seeing more and more is a blurring of the lines between formerly distinct game genres -- this is especially true of shooters and MMOs. There are a number of shooters on the horizon that fit the bill as MMOs (although not RPGs), but such games are a radical departure from the DikuMUD pedigree shared by most MMORPG titles we cover at Massively. These shooter-MMO hybrids may have quests, levels, and classes, but they cast few illusions about being true RPGs. They're shooters through and through, but have persistent settings or are massively multiplayer -- traits which catch our attention.

Continue reading Redefining MMOs: The Shooter Invasion

MassivelyRedefining MMOs: The Shooter Invasion originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-points-bulletinconsolescrimedust-514featuredfirst-person-shooterfpsgame-mechanicsglobal-agendahuxleymagmmo-industrymmofpsopinionplanetsidepvpredefining-mmossci-fishootersthe-agencythird-person-shooterFri, 18 Sep 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Global Agenda video interview gives a closer look at the game]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/09/global-agenda-video-interview-gives-a-closer-look-at-the-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/09/global-agenda-video-interview-gives-a-closer-look-at-the-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/09/global-agenda-video-interview-gives-a-closer-look-at-the-game/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Massively has been keeping an eye on Global Agenda, a title on the way from Hi-Rez Studios that's one of the new breed of shooter MMOs. Our own Shawn Schuster recently visited their Atlanta studio for a video tour as the Hi-Rez team prepped for closed beta. We see that BarnGamerz also got an early look at Global Agenda and scored some face time with the developers, who explained a bit about their respective roles in creating the game. They put it all into a video, with Lead Technical Artist Mick Larkins discussing a bit about his work, and an interview with Executive Producer Todd Harris.

If you haven't been following the coverage of Global Agenda across the various MMO sites, this might serve as a good primer on the game. Harris sits down with Jaimie from BarnGamerz to discuss the basic concepts behind the title, including Global Agenda's classes and how they'll be employed, illustrated with some in-game footage. You can see the Global Agenda Studio Tour at BarnGamerz or check out the video embed after the jump.

Continue reading Global Agenda video interview gives a closer look at the game

MassivelyGlobal Agenda video interview gives a closer look at the game originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 09 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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