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Ask Massively: Big questions deserve big answers edition

Eliot Lefebvre — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Opinion, Humor, Ask Massively, Miscellaneous

Some questions are just too good to leave to my sole discretion. I like to think that I can provide a reasonable response to a number of questions, but I also think there are some questions that merit more opinions. Case in point: a question last week from potaco about whether or not it's harder to focus on a single game instead of several games as a Massively employee. So I'm consolidating responses from the whole team right now, and we'll have an answer to that question this week.

This week's Ask Massively is still packed, however, with questions about getting a new computer for World of Warcraft and Star Wars: The Old Republic as well as whether or not Guild Wars 2 will provide credible competition for other games when it launches. If you've got a question you would like to see answered in a future installment of the column, mail it along to ask@massively.com or leave it in the comments below. Questions may be edited slightly for brevity and/or clarity.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Big questions deserve big answers edition

Ask Massively: Big questions deserve big answers edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Road to Mordor: Shopping at the LotRO Depot

Justin Olivetti — Fri, 20 May 2011 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Lord of the Rings Online, Free-to-play, The Road to Mordor

About 99% of the time I'm in Lord of the Rings Online I never think about the LotRO Store. Ever since the store came online last year, it's been adventure as usual in the Olivetti household. Sure, I mock the "You got 5 Turbine Points! Now you can retire in the Caymans!" popups like everyone else, but I've always felt that Turbine does a good job balancing the store presence between the polar extremes of obnoxious and invisible.

That isn't to say I haven't used the store at all; on the contrary, I've been a sporadic if loyal customer of sorts, trundling my shopping cart through the aisles of Shire-Mart looking for a good deal. Thus far I haven't dropped any additional cash into the game, choosing to subsist on my monthly allotment of TP with whatever I earn through deeds. Every once in a while I'll boot up the store and see what niceties I can give to my character as a reward for slaughtering his 5,000th Neeker-beeker.

The LotRO Store has two categories of customers: the free-to-players and the upper class. Does that sound snooty? It's not intentional -- all I mean is that some folks use the store to provide basic necessities for gameplay (like quest packs, riding skills, class unlocks) while others are already well-off in the game and shop for luxury items. I'm in awe of the F2P gamers who can get a good chunk of their content by methodically knocking deeds out so they can purchase the next zone, but I'm fortunate enough not to have to do that.

So today I wanted to give myself an audit of what I've spent in the store so far and analyze whether they were wise purchases, wasteful frivolities, or overpriced insanity.

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Shopping at the LotRO Depot

The Road to Mordor: Shopping at the LotRO Depot originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 May 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Direct2Drive offers last minute shopping deals

Jef Reahard — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: MMO industry, News items, Promotions, Miscellaneous

Still stressing over what to get the gamer on your Christmas shopping list? Never fear, as IGN's Direct2Drive digital download service has come to the rescue with a few last minute holiday deals. While the sale (which lasts until 10:00 a.m. PST on December 27th) covers games from all genres, there are a couple of particularly noteworthy MMORPG steals.

All SOE titles (excluding DC Universe Online) are 50% off -- including all of EverQuest II's expansions. You can also take advantage of the Choose Your Savings promotion through the end of the year by spending preset amounts and using the associated promo codes when placing your order:

spend $49.95, save 25% with code BAHHUMBUG
spend $29.95, save 15% with code SCROOGED
spend $19.95, save 10% with code GRINCH

Direct2Drive offers last minute shopping deals originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 24 Dec 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Perfect Ten: The sadistic shopper's list for Black Friday and Cyber Monday

Justin Olivetti — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fury, RF Online, The Matrix Online, Hellgate: London, Tabula Rasa, All Points Bulletin, Humor, Promotions, Perfect Ten

With the holiday shopping season upon us, gamers are hot for great deals and cheap entertainment. As my wife's logic goes, if something is 80% off, you buy it, even if you didn't really want it in the first place. It's the principle of the thing, an automatic 80% dose of smug satisfaction at being a savvy shopper!

Not every deal should be pursued, however. Although most video games are playable for years and decades after release, not so with MMOs that have had their service shuttered. It's recently come to my attention that even though these games are completely unplayable -- rendered nothing more than a few cents' worth of a DVD and cardboard packaging -- online retailers haven't kept up with the times and keep these products on the virtual shelves long past their expiration dates.

That's not to say you should avoid these products at all cost, because studies show that a large percentage of Massively readers have a sick and twisted sense of humor. What would make a better gift this Christmas than a multi-million-dollar-budget MMO that died a horrible death years before?

So don't be the typical gifter who settles for a Blu-ray player or an iPod -- give a package of misery, disillusionment and broken dreams! Hit the jump for 10 items that absolutely belong in your shopping cart if you wish to be feared!

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: The sadistic shopper's list for Black Friday and Cyber Monday

The Perfect Ten: The sadistic shopper's list for Black Friday and Cyber Monday originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Nov 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ablegamers releases shopping list for disabled players

Beau Hindman — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, MMO industry, News items

If you are a disabled player or know one, you might need some help with your gift shopping. Well, worry no more: Ablegamers.com has compiled a pretty nice list of items for your loved ones! Let's say you want a great iPad mount -- well someone has made one. Perhaps you're really needing an old-fashioned joystick controller, complete with extenders and customizable buttons? Well, there's one of those too!

There are literally millions upon millions of disabled people in North America alone. Of those, a good percentage are gamers -- or want to be gamers but have issues connecting to and participating in these wonderful games that we all love. Why not buy one of these items for the disabled person in your life? Or perhaps you could locate a stranger who needs the item -- just ask your gaming buddies. Don't be surprised when someone knows somebody else who could use something that appears on this list!

Thanks to Ablegamers.com, some players will not be left out of the game!

Ablegamers releases shopping list for disabled players originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 21 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Impressions: Albatross 18

Akela Talamasca — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: At a glance, Sports, Galleries, Opinion, Free-to-play, Hands-on, Casual, Humor, First Impressions, Albatross 18

Have you been pining away for a great golf MMO? We have, too! Look, even if you haven't, let's just go along with this, okay? Albatross 18 is an engaging, colorful, whimsical game that doesn't disappoint. When one considers golf, there really isn't too much to it -- hit the ball into the hole, rinse, repeat. The beauty of its simplicity is that a developer can go crazy with that concept and add all sorts of madness to it, and it can only improve the game.

And that's exactly what's going on with Albatross 18: beautiful environments, useful power-ups, crazy caddies, mascots, costumes -- this game is hilarious. Will you like it? Let's find out. As always, we remind you that this is not meant to be a full review of everything in the game; these are the first impressions we got after spending an hour or so playing. Excelsior!

Gallery: First Impressions: Albatross 18

Continue reading First Impressions: Albatross 18

First Impressions: Albatross 18 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 30 Apr 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Barbie Girls Online: Been there, done that, got the tiara

Brenda Holloway — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Business models, Opinion, Free-to-play, Browser, Barbie Girls, Kids

How will you ever tell your little girl that her friend Jane is a special VIP in Barbie Girls Online, but you won't even give her a dented copper tiara? Jane's tiara is made of diamonds, platinum and unicorn hair! Your daughter: No tiara. You: resented in real life. But you're a good mommy or daddy, and you'll buy your little girl her VIP membership and her tiara will be gold, with rubies, because you love her just that much. Welcome to the wonderful world of getting to your wallet through your children.

It's not entirely new; Kid-oriented web sites such as Webkinz and Neopets have offered dolls with codes for use on their website for some years now, but they were real dolls, and the special perks on the website were theirs forever. They had something to keep when the computer was off. Now, your daughter's tenuous reign as VIP lasts only so long as you keep paying for a VIP membership. (Barbie Girls Online also requires a Barbie-shaped dongle/MP3 player to be plugged into the computer for full access but is not required for most of the site).

Continue reading Barbie Girls Online: Been there, done that, got the tiara

Barbie Girls Online: Been there, done that, got the tiara originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 Apr 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rock Vault brings heavy metal merchandising

Tateru Nino — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Horror, Launches, News items, Second Life, Virtual worlds

Officially licensed merchandise for twelve bands can be found at the new Rock Vault in Second Life. Avenged Sevenfold, Slipknot, Funeral for a Friend, HIM, Kings of Leon, The Ramones, Trivium, Iron Maiden, Bullet for my Valentine, Nickelback, Stone Sour, and Cradle of Filth are the bands represented, though not every one of them has inworld shirts to buy.

Whether there are inworld shirts or not (the price for all of them seems to be about L$150) each kiosk links to an online merchandise site where you can order the physical article. Don't go to to sleep quite yet, though. There's something much more interesting about this place than just selling tee-shirts -- thank heavens!

Continue reading Rock Vault brings heavy metal merchandising

Rock Vault brings heavy metal merchandising originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 05 Mar 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WRUP: Season's greetings edition

Mike Schramm — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Opinion, Hellgate: London

Time once again to check in on What yoU aRe Playing in the world of MMOs lately. Last week, the Nielsen Company reported that World of Warcraft was the most-played PC game from April to November of this year, with the average user still playing a whopping 17 hours per week. Yowza.

Is that you? Are you going to be playing WoW all weekend? Personally, I'm going to be busy doing a lot of holiday stuff (I'm making the trek back to my hometown of St. Louis, MO this weekend, and I haven't actually "started" doing my gift shopping yet), but I do have that pristine copy of Guild Wars that I picked up at Best Buy way back on Black Friday, so hopefully in between all the merry making this weekend I'll be able to break that out.

And are any of you actually planning on getting an MMO as a gift? With the subscription fees and all, these games are really something that you buy for yourself, but I wouldn't have a problem with seeing a copy of Hellgate under the tree. What are you playing?

WRUP: Season's greetings edition originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 21 Dec 2007 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Must see: Grendel's Children

Tateru Nino — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 05:30:00 EST

Filed under: Second Life

When it comes to impressive builds in Second Life , one of the more impressive ones is actually actually not a strictly an architectural showcase, role-playing setting, or corporate-funded park. It's a shopping mall.

Undeniably attractive, this floating mercantile behemoth is actually part park/recreation and part mall - it is the home of Grendel's Children, featuring a wide range of some of the best non-human avatars and accessories to be found in Second Life.

Gallery: Grendel's Children

Continue reading Must see: Grendel's Children

Must see: Grendel's Children originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 Dec 2007 05:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Second Style wants you to play (Secret) Santa

Moo Money — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Second Life

Several days ago, Celebrity Trollop announced that Second Style would be taking signups for their Secret Santa game. You can pick up her lovingly hand-scripted Secret Santa kiosk vendor at the Second Style HQ. Please note that signups close on December 19th at 12pm PST, so hurry!

On the 19th, you'll be randomly assigned to another participant. You will have until December 25th to buy them a gift of at least 100L in value, but not more than 500L. If you would like to give multiple presents, they must not total more than the 500L value. To find out how to send anonymously, please read the full rules.

[Thanks, Celebrity!]

Second Style wants you to play (Secret) Santa originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 16 Dec 2007 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Second Life holiday shopping guide - December 8th edition

Moo Money — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Events, in-game, Guides, Second Life

I probably had something witty to say when I started this list, but that was 7 solid hours ago, and I'm not even sure I want to look at another Second Life ad listing again! However, I've found more amazing listings from 89 incredible designers for your shopping enjoyment. If you followed along with last week's guide, you'll notice that the list more than doubled! Keep in mind that some of the deals from the December 1st edition are still going on.

With that said, I structured this week's guide differently because of the sheer size of it. The categories are: Freebies, Cheapies, Free to group members, Sales, Regular-priced, For men, and Home and Garden. Once again, they are listed with the shop name linking to a store SLURL and what they're selling, with a link to their blog or forum post about the item. If you release something in the coming week, let me know, or leave a comment here, and I'll include it in next week's guide. Happy shopping!

Freebies:

Adam n Eve - Free men's boxers, lingerie in red or green
ADIMU - Freebie Xmas boots
~~Alchemy - Free dress in gold or silver [Via Mui Mukerji]~~
ANIMAH - Freebie animations
Chicanery - Three freebie santa hats to choose from, including traditional, dirty, and black and red
Corduroy - Freebie green-striped wrist warmers
Gnomenclature - Freebie Christmas Jester Hat
Immortelle - Freebie Silver Felicity Top
Ingenue - Weekly Christmas gifts on Mondays until Christmas
Kess Creations - Free Christmas ornament necklace
Rave Nation - Free Sexy Christmas, Merry Mistletoe, and Candycane Bitch outfits
Reaction - Daily freebies under the tree until Christmas eve!
Sy Designs - Free red tucked sweater
Sylfie's Prim Seduction - Merry Xmas 2007 Stilettos [Via Alienbear Gupte]
Talisman Designs - Ornament Necklace and Nixon animation
Tres Beau - Free Diamond Slippers and earrings

Read on for cheapies, group members only, sales, regular-priced items, menswear, and home and garden items ...

Continue reading Second Life holiday shopping guide - December 8th edition

Second Life holiday shopping guide - December 8th edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 08 Dec 2007 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Research into Second Life shopping

Tateru Nino — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Economy, News items, Second Life

Dwight Allen is working on his Master's thesis on attitudes and motivations for the use of stores and about shopping in Second Life. If you've had some shopping experience in Second Life, and are willing to fill out a short online questionnaire Allen would like you to send him an IM in-world.

Allen's forking over the dollars to recompense his research subjects (he needs 100 in total) and is paying L$200 for each complete and correct questionnaire until he gets enough data for his thesis. The only personal information he's after is a contact email address.

With a little luck the results of Allen's research will be available at a later date.

Research into Second Life shopping originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 03 Dec 2007 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Second Life holiday shopping guide - December 1st edition

Moo Money — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 22:00:00 EST

Filed under: Events, in-game, Guides, Second Life

It's Christmas season already, which means Limited Editions, holiday outfits, and freebies! Sifting through all the blogs, ads, and forum posts can be quite tedious. I'm going to be taking care of the work for you every Saturday!

In order for you to get the most out of your Second Life shopping experience, I've broken the items down by pricing. They are categorized as freebies, cheapies, group only, sales, and regular priced items. They are listed with the shop name linking to a store SLURL and what they're selling, with a link to their blog or forum post about the item. If you release something in the coming week, let me know and I'll include it in next week's guide. Happy shopping!

Freebies:

Dawnshop/Dazur - Christmas outfit
Ephemeral Creations - Free Holiday Chenille Scarf
Essentia - Christmas tree earrings
Inspired - Stocking treasure hunt - 12 in all!
Ivalde - Freebie gifts under the Christmas tree
MANTRA - Free Christmas tree
Pixeldolls - Free holiday decorations
Second Mirage - Advent calendar - Stop by daily to get a free ornament only available on that day. This event runs until Christmas.
Sin Skins - Pearl treasure hunt - 12 items, including skins, manicures, and lashes!
Style Your Destiny - 8 Days of Hanukkah freebies, starting December 4th
Subtle Submission - Lucky chair Christmas tattoo and shirts
Talisman Designs - Free snowman earrings
The Body Politik - Snowman necklace and earrings
WRONG - Daily freebies until Christmas Eve!

Cheapies:

Callie Cline - 99L Reindeer antlers
Dark Eden - 50L Candy Cane..."prim attachment" (Warning: Website NSFW)
She's So Unusual - 25L Googly-eyed Rudolph slippers
Subtle Submission - 100L 3-pack Christmas stockings, 50L each for holiday separates, 50L Bettie Page Christmas necklace, and a *cough* 100L Santa's Little Whore costume
Talisman Designs - 1L snowman shoulder pet, 40L Frosty snowman choker

Read on for group only, sales, and regular priced items ...

Continue reading Second Life holiday shopping guide - December 1st edition

Second Life holiday shopping guide - December 1st edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 01 Dec 2007 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Second Life Christmas shopping for a good cause

Moo Money — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Real life, Second Life

Several months ago, Alyssum Therian, of Love, Aly, blogged about a friend's child that had been born with a malignant brain tumor. In order to raise funds for her friend, she created an outfit in baby Abby's honor, with 100% of the proceeds going to her medical bills. Sadly, it only managed to amount to about 25 USD.

Alyssum hasn't given up hope, though. She's designed an adorable Christmas outfit with many components to it, including a blinking skirt! At only 100L, it's a bargain, but even better, all proceeds will go to Abby! Let's hope that this second attempt fares better. Currently in her ninth round of chemotherapy, this child will need all the help that she can get.

Second Life Christmas shopping for a good cause originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 01 Dec 2007 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cinemassively: Second Life Cable Network

Moo Money — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Video, Second Life, Cinemassively, Machinima

It's been half of a year since Second Life Insider first covered the Second Life Cable Network. Since that time, they've expanded rapidly, growing into a full blown TV station. Their determination has set them apart from other video programs inside SL. I'll personally never forget them, because Starr Sonic poured glitter in my hair at the Second Life Community Convention. It took two people 20 minutes to pick it all out!

SLCN offers a variety of programming for the audience. For the sports fanatics, they have sailing, hockey, SLASCAR racing, and snail racing. They also have weekly talk shows, streaming of live concerts, fashion shows, and on location reporting. In addition, they recently announced a shopping channel that will run 24 hours a day! These channels can be watched on their website or streamed into Second Life.

Read on after the jump to find out more about SLCN ...

Continue reading Cinemassively: Second Life Cable Network

Cinemassively: Second Life Cable Network originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 24 Nov 2007 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MapleStory celebrates Black Friday with big sale

Samuel Axon — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: MapleStory, Events, in-game, News items, Casual

It's Black Friday, and that means every one (in the United States, at least) is busy shopping for the holidays! And with MapleStory, shopping and online gaming go hand in hand. Nexon, the company behind MapleStory, announced that there will be a huge Black Friday sale for MapleStory users this weekend.

So, if you're into MapleStory, that's good news for you; items in the Cash Shop will be sold at a big discount and there will be special sales of very valuable items for very low prices at certain times. If you're not, well, you still have all the "real-life" deals we pointed out earlier today to salivate over.

MapleStory celebrates Black Friday with big sale originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Nov 2007 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CHAI Skins are my cup of tea

Moo Money — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Second Life

Last week, CHAI Skins opened shop. Launa Fauna offered up five skin tones, with eight total makeups. They also came with a freckled option, and a lighting rig. On Saturday, she released three new skins. According to Ms. Fauna, she'll be coming out with new skins weekly, but that's not the best part. She's been taking the suggestions from her loyal customers and even basing new makeups around their real life looks, such as Mistress, which is based off of a picture of Mistress Midnight.

She currently has two locations, one in Freelon and the other in Port Seraphine. I strongly suggest that you shop at Port Seraphine, as the Freelon sim is mainland and was the target of grief last week. Purchasing her skins in bulk has never been easier. Each skin is priced at 1200L, however if you want more, you can simply purchase a store card for later use. Three skins cost 3000L, five cost 5000L, and a whopping 10 cost 9000L. This allows you to hold the card in your hand and buy only those you truly want, versus being stuck with makeups you may not like.

I'd also like to throw out a quick plug for her leather pants, which I'm wearing in the picture above, and her jeans. With careful highlighting and sculted legs, these pants do wonders for your figure. They're all available in a variety of colors, styles, and cuts, including capris!

[Thanks, Roslin!]

CHAI Skins are my cup of tea originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 Nov 2007 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Regarding content in virtual worlds: build it, or buy it?

Akela Talamasca — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Business models, Game mechanics, Crafting, There, Opinion, Second Life, Player Housing

For those of you who may not be completely familiar with Second Life, one of its biggest draws is that it's a haven for content creators, as opposed to virtual worlds like There.com, which doesn't let its users build anything of their own. Now, of course, what you get in exchange for the freedom to build anything you want is having to see what everyone else is building, and this includes the infamous flying penises and other Objects You'd Rather Not Have Seen, Thanks.

But, as my friend Eric Rice recently pointed out to me, there is something to be said for not having to create your world yourself. "I don't always wanna COOK dinner", he opined, and I know what he means. In my over 2 years as a SL resident, I've not created one thing; I have neither the knack nor the interest, frankly, though I do enjoy the fruits of the labors of other residents. Shopping is great fun in SL, and probably on the top of a great many lists of enjoyable activities. Exploring is equally as enjoyable, and it's this aspect of virtual worlds that deserves some scrutiny. More after the jump.

Continue reading Regarding content in virtual worlds: build it, or buy it?

Regarding content in virtual worlds: build it, or buy it? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Nov 2007 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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