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[Rise and Shiny recap: RuneScape]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/19/rise-and-shiny-recap-runescape/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/19/rise-and-shiny-recap-runescape/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/19/rise-and-shiny-recap-runescape/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

This week I decided to take a deeper look at RuneScape, one of the web's largest free MMORPGs. I've played it off and on over the years but thought it was the perfect time to take a deeper look. After all, one of my fellow writers is currently taking a look at the game and its developers, so why not round off the discussion with a good solid week of playing? Really, I could have played it for a much shorter time and still come to the same conclusion. From the very beginning, the essence of RuneScape shines through.

But what about the community? Isn't RuneScape a "kid's game?" Isn't it filled with 14-year-old boys named some version of "Pwnzer?" What about the graphics? Aren't they pathetically unrealistic? How does that affect immersion in the game? All I can say is read on! I was not only glad to see my gut feeling about the game being reinforced, but excited to see a game that is doing things that no others come close to doing.

Continue reading Rise and Shiny recap: RuneScape

MassivelyRise and Shiny recap: RuneScape originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 19 Dec 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beau-hindmanbrowser-basedbrowser-based-MMOseve-onlinef2pfeaturedfree-to-playftpjagexjagex-game-studiosrise-and-shinyrunescapeSandboxskill-basedskill-based-mmosWorld-of-WarcraftSun, 19 Dec 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Game Archaeologist and the Forbidden RuneScape: The highlights]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/30/the-game-archaeologist-and-the-forbidden-runescape-the-highligh/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/30/the-game-archaeologist-and-the-forbidden-runescape-the-highligh/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/30/the-game-archaeologist-and-the-forbidden-runescape-the-highligh/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The Game Archaeologist is a lazy adventurer-slash-professor who dons his trademark cap for a weekly expedition through some of the most famous MMOs of the past few decades. Each month he chooses a different title to examine its highlights, talk with its developers, and invite its fans to share their experiences.

I don't know about you, but when I first heard of RuneScape a few years back, it was sold to me as "the poor person's World of Warcraft." In fact, I knew several teens who couldn't afford a monthly WoW subscription and had to "make do" with RuneScape as an alternative, and so I mentally filtered the title as being outside of my sphere of interest and moved on with my life.

That was when I started to crochet. All adventurers should know how to crochet as a survival trait.

In retrospect, I should've ignored the stigma and checked it out for myself, because while the above may be true for some, RuneScape deserved a lot better than to be blown off by a dismissive comment. No matter how some have pigeon-holed it as being less than worthy of proper MMO status, RuneScape is a behemoth of a game in both size, features and playerbase. In fact, as of right now, RuneScape holds the #2 spot for players, boasting a population well into the eight digits.

So as of this month, we shall endeavor to put away any ignorant stances as we explore one of the most popular and longest-running MMOs of our time. Join me after the jump as I share RuneScape's greatest highlights -- and exactly why none of us should underestimate this game again.

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist and the Forbidden RuneScape: The highlights

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist and the Forbidden RuneScape: The highlights originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accountsactive-playersandrew-gowerbandwidthbest-buybrowserbusiness-modelsdellf2pfeaturedfree-to-playfreemiumgameboyguinness-world-recordshighlightshistoryhousingi-miss-farscapejagexpaul-gowerplayer-owned-housingpohrunescaperunescape-2runescape-classicskill-basedskill-based-mmosskillsthe-game-archaeologistWorld-of-WarcraftwowTue, 30 Nov 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Earthrise's Atanas Atanasov strikes back]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/29/earthrises-atanas-atanasov-strikes-back/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/29/earthrises-atanas-atanasov-strikes-back/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/29/earthrises-atanas-atanasov-strikes-back/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Masthead's Atanas Atanasov returns with another interview about the studio's upcoming Earthrise MMORPG. This time around, the focus is fairly general, with topics ranging from the economy, to PvP, to the type of player that will enjoy Earthrise. "While casual players can enjoy the game without going too in-depth, the interwoven player-run economy and complex social competition for influence and resources provide addictive mechanics for hardcore players to fine-tune their characters," he says.

With over 800 crafting technologies and a skill-based combat engine, the game aims to provide plenty of sandbox for players looking for something outside the mainstream of the holy trinity quest grinder. Earthrise also looks to depart from the norm by encouraging player interaction, to the point that Atanasov says it will be hard to progress on your own. "There are no rats that can drop you a high-tier rifle; no bosses with epic loot that out-stats every other item in the game; no quest will supply you with good gear - you have to rely on crafting or larceny to earn your bread," he says.

MassivelyEarthrise's Atanas Atanasov strikes back originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 29 Sep 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Atanas-Atanasovatanas-atansovcraftingearthriseinterviewmastheadmasthead-studiosplayer-economypvpskill-basedskill-based-mmosskillsWed, 29 Sep 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Anti-Aliased: The mailbag edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/anti-aliased-the-mailbag-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/anti-aliased-the-mailbag-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/anti-aliased-the-mailbag-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Well hello there intrepid Massively readers! This week, instead of my usual selection of complaints crammed into the tight space of a single column, I've decided to do something different. This Monday, I opened up a call for questions on anything MMO related on the Massively Facebook fan page, the Massively Twitter, and my own personal Twitter. You guys didn't disappoint, and you certainly sent me more than a few intriguing e-mails.

So, for the past three days, I've been preparing responses to some of the questions that landed in my inbox. What did intrepid readers ask me to answer? Whose e-mails did I select from the pile of text I received? What is the airspeed of an African Swallow? These and many other questions (except that swallow one, that one's been done to death, go Google it or something) shall be answered after the break! Thundercats, hoooooooooo!

Continue reading Anti-Aliased: The mailbag edition

MassivelyAnti-Aliased: The mailbag edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anti-aliasedcharacter-genderfeaturedgendergender-roleslumielmailmailbagopinionroleplayingrprp-eventrpgskill-based-mmosThu, 15 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST