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[Star Wars: The Old Republic to launch in the Asia Pacific region on March 1st]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/14/star-wars-the-old-republic-to-launch-in-the-asia-pacific-region/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/14/star-wars-the-old-republic-to-launch-in-the-asia-pacific-region/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/14/star-wars-the-old-republic-to-launch-in-the-asia-pacific-region/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

If you play Republic, get used to this art.
On launch day, fans of Star Wars: The Old Republic were able to start logging into the game simultaneously across the world... assuming "the world" meant North America and Europe. The Pacific regions were unfortunately deferred to a later launch date, something that provoked some ire from fans in that area. However, the wait is now over for an official launch day. A launch of March 1st has been announced for Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong.

Naturally, there are fans in those regions who would prefer to play on regional servers but have already started play on existing servers via imported copies of the game. BioWare is promising that players in these regions will be able to transfer characters for free for a limited time following the launch date, allowing everyone to move to regional servers if desired. The game is also available for pre-order now, so if you're in the affected region and want a copy, best take a look at stores near you for order options.

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic to launch in the Asia Pacific region on March 1st originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asiaaustraliabiowareeaea-biowareelectronic-artsglobal-launcheshong-konglaunch-regionslauncheslocalizationmmo-industrynew-zealandnewspacificregional-launchesregionssingaporestar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorTue, 14 Feb 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[New interview with Tony Park talks about Firefall's post-release path]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/01/new-interview-with-tony-park-talks-about-firefalls-post-release/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/01/new-interview-with-tony-park-talks-about-firefalls-post-release/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/01/new-interview-with-tony-park-talks-about-firefalls-post-release/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Look! That guy's flying! Better shoot him.
Firefall, the upcoming MMOFPS from Red 5 Studios, is aiming at heating things up with a release in the very near future. But perhaps you're not in the beta and still want to hear more information about the game before it goes live. You're in luck, then, as there's a new interview out today for future players and general enthusiasts to examine. Tony Park, head of the Singapore office, talks about where the team hopes to bring Firefall in the days and months following release as well as the current state of the game.

Among the more interesting takeaways are the addition of a new class in the roster (the Dreadnaught) and talk about potential future e-sports participation within the game. Considering the activity level of e-sports in the eastern gaming world, it certainly makes sense that the team would have its eye on that as a potential future element of gameplay, especially with the game's setup lending itself to competitive play. While the release is just around the corner, it looks as if the game will still have plenty for players to anticipate even after launch arrives.

MassivelyNew interview with Tony Park talks about Firefall's post-release path originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>competitive-gaminge-sportsesportsf2pfirefallfree-to-playlaunchmmofpspreviewsred-5-singaporered-5-studiosshootersingaporesingapore-studiotony-parkupcoming-launchTue, 01 Nov 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Warcraft makes inroads into southeast Asia]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/19/world-of-warcraft-makes-inroads-into-southeast-asia/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/19/world-of-warcraft-makes-inroads-into-southeast-asia/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/19/world-of-warcraft-makes-inroads-into-southeast-asia/#commentsFiled under: , ,

World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft may be slipping in the subscription department over this past year, but a recent deal may change all that. Blizzard has signed a contract with game publisher Asiasoft to bring the title to three additional countries: Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore.

Blizzard's Paul Sams sees this move as a great way to expand ever further: "One of our top priorities is ensuring that our games are easily accessible to players all around the world. We are confident that as a leading online game services provider in southeast Asia, Asiasoft will help us reach many new players in this growing region."

Asia is one of WoW's biggest markets, with countries like China producing massive amounts of players who are into the game. Under the terms of this deal, Asiasoft will get the rights to publish World of Warcraft and all of its expansion packs to the three countries, as well as Starcraft II and Diablo III.

MassivelyWorld of Warcraft makes inroads into southeast Asia originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 Oct 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asiasoftblizzardblizzard-entertainmentdiablo-3diablo-iiiMalaysiapaul-samssingaporestarcraft-2starcraft-iithailandworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 19 Oct 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Virtual Whirl: A brief history of Second Life, 2008-2010 and beyond]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/10/the-virtual-whirl-a-brief-history-of-second-life-2008-2010-and/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/10/the-virtual-whirl-a-brief-history-of-second-life-2008-2010-and/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/10/the-virtual-whirl-a-brief-history-of-second-life-2008-2010-and/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

This week, we cover the final installment of our summarized history of Second Life and Linden Lab (check out the first installment or the second, if you missed them). It's only possible to cover a tiny fraction of the events that took place in the space we have here, but the highlights paint an interesting picture.

We'll be working our way from 2008 to June 2010, and looking at what future directions we expect from there.

Continue reading The Virtual Whirl: A brief history of Second Life, 2008-2010 and beyond

MassivelyThe Virtual Whirl: A brief history of Second Life, 2008-2010 and beyond originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 10 Jul 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amsterdambusiness-modelscongresscultureeconomyfeaturedfrank-herberthistoryhypergridietfintellectual-propertyirsjohn-zdanowskikathleen-craiglayoffslegallinden-labmark-kingdonmillions-of-usmitch-kaporOnRezopinionorangephilip-rosedalereutersrezzable-productionsrobin-harpersecond-lifesecond-life-enterprisesecond-life-viewersingaporesl-policystep-uptaser-international-inctelstraterms-of-servicethe-daily-mailthe-virtual-whirlTrademarkVATviewer-2virtual-worldsworld-stock-exchangewsexstreetxstreet-slyoko-onoSat, 10 Jul 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Linden Lab laying off staff, closing Singapore office]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/07/linden-lab-laying-off-staff-closing-singapore-office/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/07/linden-lab-laying-off-staff-closing-singapore-office/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/07/linden-lab-laying-off-staff-closing-singapore-office/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Linden LabBack in April, we observed the departure of what we estimate to be approximately 5% or so of Linden Lab's total headcount. Some churn is to be expected, of course, especially in a tech company. It seemed a little odd that the positions didn't appear to have been advertised or refilled, but sometimes that happens out of sight. Last week, a Lab spokesperson confirmed for us that the Lab still had in excess of 300 staff.

This week, however, we're actually becoming quite concerned as there are signs of what seems to be a significant series of layoffs in progress at Linden Lab.

Continue reading Linden Lab laying off staff, closing Singapore office

MassivelyLinden Lab laying off staff, closing Singapore office originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 Jun 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakinglayoffslinden-labmmo-industryopinionsecond-lifesecond-life-enterprisesingaporevirtual-worldsMon, 07 Jun 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Second Life content creators warn about scam site]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/07/second-life-content-creators-warn-about-scam-site/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/07/second-life-content-creators-warn-about-scam-site/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/07/second-life-content-creators-warn-about-scam-site/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Numerous Second Life content creators are warning their clientele that the Web-site virtualget.net (which has been apparently been operating for a couple of months now) is a credit-card harvesting scam. Whether that's correct or not, the site appears to be using the product images and product descriptions and trademarks of numerous Second Life content creators without their permission. The original images and text appear on Linden Lab's Xstreet SL virtual goods shopping Web-site.

Numerous DMCA notices are reportedly being filed by content creators at present. We attempted to contact virtualget.net (anonymously registered in Singapore) for comment, but none of their email addresses appeared to be functional -- One email address was restored to function when the majority of the site was taken down a short time ago, but we received no response. Linden Lab, who has an intellectual property stake in the matter, was not available for comment either.

Users of Kaspersky protection software found the Web-site marked as a phishing site several hours ago, presumably based on user reports.

Update: The operation seems to have disabled access to much of the site in the wake of numerous DMCA notices filed by content-creators.

Are you a part of the most widely-known collaborative virtual environment or keeping a close eye on it? Massively's Second Life coverage keeps you in the loop.

MassivelySecond Life content creators warn about scam site originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>copyrightcopyright-infringementkasperskylinden-labphishingsecond-lifesingaporetrademarkvirtual-goodsvirtual-worldsvirtualgetxstreet-slWed, 07 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Cyberpunk MMO Otherland launches game preview site]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/06/cyberpunk-mmo-otherland-launches-game-preview-site/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/06/cyberpunk-mmo-otherland-launches-game-preview-site/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/06/cyberpunk-mmo-otherland-launches-game-preview-site/#commentsFiled under: , ,


It was only a few months ago when we first got word of a new cyberpunk/VR-themed MMO in development. Otherland is based on the the sci-fi novels of Tad Williams, which deal heavily with the interplay of the virtual and the real. Otherland is being built on the Unreal 3 engine by Singapore-based development studio Real U, a wholly-owned subsidiary of dtp entertainment AG in Germany.

The Otherland information page states the game will release in 2011 for PC, and it could potentially offer some interesting dimensions to MMO gameplay. The site states: "MMO fans can expect a fascinating gameplay experience. Based on the globally successful novels, the Otherland gameplay is distinguished by a unique narrative structure. Rather than retelling the story, players will experience their own individual stories within the Otherland universe and will encounter many of the familiar characters from the books. The game world will change dynamically around them during the course of the game."

Continue reading Cyberpunk MMO Otherland launches game preview site

MassivelyCyberpunk MMO Otherland launches game preview site originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 06 Apr 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cyberpunkdtp-entertainmentdtp-entertainment-aggermanymmo-industrynew-titlesotherlandreal-usci-fisingaporetad-williamsunreal-3unreal-3-enginevirtual-realityvrMon, 06 Apr 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Private MapleStory servers targeted for shutdown]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/04/private-maplestory-servers-targeted-for-shutdown/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/04/private-maplestory-servers-targeted-for-shutdown/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/04/private-maplestory-servers-targeted-for-shutdown/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


In news that should surprise precisely nobody at all, AsiaSoft, an Eastern distributor of Nexon's MapleStory, has started targeting private MapleStory servers for shutdown. According to Asiaone Digital, it seems that one such person named Sean Lee is now under scrutiny by AsiaSoft for running a fairly popular server in Singapore. What started as a server run out of his bedroom for a handful of friends has blossomed into a server supporting 32,000 MapleStory players just a few short months later. Sure, it may not sound like much - until you realize that of the people polled for the story, half said they play on private servers. When faced with potentially as much as 50% of your userbase playing on private servers, you're talking about a very significant loss of revenue for AsiaSoft, and in turn, Nexon.

That said, Sean is awaiting a formal take-down from AsiaSoft, even knowing he's currently being targeted along with several others for running illicit MapleStory servers. He stated that he's continuing to run it for the players because "If [he shuts] it down, [he] will be letting them down." Additionally, his parents allow him to run the server with full knowledge of what he's doing, so long as he agrees to take it down when AsiaSoft asks him to. Perhaps it's just us, but if we knew we were about to get a visit from men in nice suits who had legal documents that talked about things like "seeking financial damages", we'd be out of the pirated game server business quickly. Still, it's an interesting read, so be sure to check out the full story.

[Via Kotaku]

MassivelyPrivate MapleStory servers targeted for shutdown originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 04 Jan 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asiasoftlawlegalmaplestorynexonprivate-maplestory-serverprivate-serversingaporeSun, 04 Jan 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Singapore welcomes WoW-playing employees]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/27/singapore-welcomes-wow-playing-employees/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/27/singapore-welcomes-wow-playing-employees/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/27/singapore-welcomes-wow-playing-employees/#commentsFiled under: ,


As if we need more examples of how much more widely-accepted gaming is in the East than the West, a company in Singapore has recently voiced their stance on the whole issue of denying people jobs if they play World of Warcraft. According to GMP Group, a recruiting firm in Singapore, none of their clients have turned down a potential employee for playing WoW.

The company's CEO, Annie Yap, acknowledges the problematic side of gaming addiction, but cites Singaporeans as "more pragmatic in thinking and attitude" as they won't allow gaming to interfere with their job. Does this mean hope for the Western attitude toward gaming? Probably not any time soon, but as the gamer generation gets older, that possibility increases.

MassivelySingapore welcomes WoW-playing employees originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 27 Dec 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardemployeehiringjobrecruitingsingaporeworld-of-warcraftwowSat, 27 Dec 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WAR beta reaches down under]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/08/war-beta-reaches-down-under/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/08/war-beta-reaches-down-under/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/08/war-beta-reaches-down-under/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


It seems that oftentimes Australia and the Oceanic region gets the shaft when it comes to MMO server allocation. Most of the time, Aussies find themselves choosing between an American or European server, with incompatible peak playing times.

Today, Warhammer Online fans in the Oceanic region will be pleased to hear that their own server has not gone ignored, as the WAR Oceanic Beta has officially begun. Players in Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore should check their inboxes for a beta invite which will pave the way for the simultaneous launch of Warhammer Online across North America, Europe and the Oceanic region on September 18th.
Warhammer Online Coverage Did you enjoy this? Make sure to check out all of our previous Warhammer Online features, and don't miss any of our ongoing coverage as Massively goes to WAR!

MassivelyWAR beta reaches down under originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 08 Aug 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiabetaea-mythicmalasianew-zealandoceanicsingaporewarwarhammer-onlineFri, 08 Aug 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Perfect World continues Southeast Asia business expansion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/19/perfect-world-continues-southeast-asia-business-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/19/perfect-world-continues-southeast-asia-business-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/19/perfect-world-continues-southeast-asia-business-expansion/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

When "online gaming" and "Asia" are mentioned in the same sentence, it's a safe bet that either Korea or China are going to be mentioned. But the countries of Southeast Asia are also hotbeds of MMORPG fandom, a fact that's not lost on game companies operating elsewhere in the continent.

Chinese game publisher Perfect World has struck a deal that will allow for greater expansion into Southeast Asia. The licensing agreement has been made with Malaysian online game operator Cubinet, which will bring Perfect World's title Chi Bi to Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. Cubinet will handle the localization of Chi Bi for the various Southeast Asian gaming markets, offering the game in Chinese, English, Vietnamese, and Thai. Chi Bi is a fantasy MMORPG based on the Three Kingdoms period in Chinese history. The title's introduction to the SE Asian markets follows Perfect World II, Legend of Martial Arts, and Zhu Xian, and marks another potentially lucrative pairing between Perfect World and Cubinet.

MassivelyPerfect World continues Southeast Asia business expansion originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Jun 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asiachinachinese-historycubinetcubizonehistorykorealocalizationmalaysiamarketperfect-worldse-asiasingaporesoutheast-asiathailandthree-kingdomsvietnamThu, 19 Jun 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Plans underway to mirror 2010 Youth Olympics in virtual Singapore]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/plans-underway-to-mirror-2010-youth-olympics-in-virtual-singapor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/plans-underway-to-mirror-2010-youth-olympics-in-virtual-singapor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/plans-underway-to-mirror-2010-youth-olympics-in-virtual-singapor/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


You've never been to Singapore? Just point and click.

Singapore's Media Development Authority have announced plans for a 3D interactive online version of their city, dubbed Co-Space. There's no shortage of interest from potential developers; fifty firms have come forward in answer to the MDA's call for proposals. Although the amount set aside to fund the project hasn't been made public, interactive and digital media are considered 'strategic' to Singapore, with a overall backing of $500 million.

Continue reading Plans underway to mirror 2010 Youth Olympics in virtual Singapore

MassivelyPlans underway to mirror 2010 Youth Olympics in virtual Singapore originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 08 May 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>co-spaceeventsMDAmirrormirror-worldsecond-lifesingaporetourismvirtualvirtual-worldsvrThu, 08 May 2008 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Financial bigwig says virtual worlds leading digital currency charge]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/27/financial-bigwig-says-virtual-worlds-leading-digital-currency-ch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/27/financial-bigwig-says-virtual-worlds-leading-digital-currency-ch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/27/financial-bigwig-says-virtual-worlds-leading-digital-currency-ch/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Andy Kyte, vice president of Gartner, Inc., told Gartner Symposium attendees last week that virtual worlds such as Second Life are "contributing to the drive to use electronic currencies." This comes from a ZDNet report on Kyte's talk about the potential of electronic currencies to reduce overhead costs for pretty much every one. He said Singapore has already introduced an electronic currency and that the rest of the world is watching what happens there.

He also said, though, that online currencies like Second Life's Linden Dollar carry with them security issues that create "phenomenal opportunities for money laundering and tax evasion." Those issues would have to be resolved before online currencies similar to the L$ or EVE Online's ISK can be used with confidence in the real world.

[Via Worlds in Motion]

MassivelyFinancial bigwig says virtual worlds leading digital currency charge originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Nov 2007 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>currencydigital-currencyeconomicseconomyeve-onlinefinancegartnergartner-symposiumisklinden-dollarlindenssecond-lifesingaporeworlds-in-motionzdnetTue, 27 Nov 2007 07:00:00 EST