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[Zynga's CastleVille hopes to enter MMO territory]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/11/zyngas-castleville-hopes-to-enter-mmo-territory/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/11/zyngas-castleville-hopes-to-enter-mmo-territory/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/11/zyngas-castleville-hopes-to-enter-mmo-territory/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

CastleVille
Zynga, maker of social games FarmVille and CityVille, has declared its intention to take the plunge into the MMO market with a new game: CastleVille. "Zynga is bringing massively multiplayer role-playing games to the mass market," creative director Bill Jackson announced from Zynga's San Francisco HQ. What game mechanics justify calling the game an MMO? According to Jackson:
You can build your castle, show it to your friends, and craft things like potions or armor. You can follow the game's story and its characters. You can trade and barter with friends by visiting their towns. And you have to defend your town against beasts who are outside the walls. The game has more personalized storytelling; players explore the world around them. You meet characters and make them happy and unlock new characters as you progress.
Chief executive Mark Pincus echoed his company's bold plans: "We want to give you more of a World of Warcraft feeling, but packaged up in something you can understand in three clicks and five or 15 minutes."

MassivelyZynga's CastleVille hopes to enter MMO territory originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 11 Oct 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bill-jacksonbrowsercastlevillecityvillef2pfarmvillefree-to-playmark-pincussocialsocial-mmoWorld-of-WarcraftwowzyngaTue, 11 Oct 2011 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[E3 2011: Lucent Heart's charming social experimentation]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/e3-2011-lucent-hearts-charming-social-experimentation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/e3-2011-lucent-hearts-charming-social-experimentation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/e3-2011-lucent-hearts-charming-social-experimentation/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Recently, we took a look at Lucent Heart and found a game that was interesting but slightly confusing. Sure, the game offered some standard questing and interesting systems, but overall our experience barely scraped the surface. Described as a "social MMO," Lucent Heart features some very different systems that are normally only found in other community-heavy games like Nexon's Mabinogi. If someone plays it expecting only kill-10-rats-style gameplay, he will easily miss half of the appeal of the title.

At this year's E3, we sat down with Gamania, publisher and developer of Lucent Heart, to clear up the details behind some of these... different systems. The publisher has 1,500 employees world-wide and is headquartered in Taiwan, with branch offices in Hong Kong, China, and Korea. The Japanese U.S. office started in 2009 and previously published a game called Hero 108, which is currently on hold pending a revamp.

Click past the cut and see what we talked about!

Continue reading E3 2011: Lucent Heart's charming social experimentation

MassivelyE3 2011: Lucent Heart's charming social experimentation originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beau-hindmane3e3-2011f2pfeaturedfree-to-playftpgamanialucent-heartpreviewssocial-mmoWed, 08 Jun 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[MMObility: Travians and socializing on any device]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/31/mmobility-travians-and-socializing-on-any-device/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/31/mmobility-travians-and-socializing-on-any-device/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/31/mmobility-travians-and-socializing-on-any-device/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Last week I told you a little bit about Travians, a neat little mobile- and browser-based game brought to us by the same good people who brought us Travian. (Notice the singular title of Travian, the island-based MMORTS.) I was intrigued as soon as I saw it mainly because it looked like it was doing something different: creating a mostly non-combat experience that is so very rare in today's market. I had also a lot of experience with Travian before, and despite not enjoying some of the aspects of the game, I enjoyed playing with friends. I hoped that Travians would allow a player to insert a single avatar into the greater world of Travian islands, and that's sort of what you do.

If you have played The Sims before, you'll have a basic idea about the what you have to do in Travians. You must point your little person to the bathroom, aim him toward a food source, and even tuck him into bed. Your character won't die or wet the floor if you don't perform successfully, but he will lose some ability to gain experience and other points. If you have enjoyed a conversation while in an online game, found yourself crafting away an evening, or spent a great deal of time decorating your virtual home, you'll have a basic idea about the optional activities in Travians.

Click past the cut and I'll tell you more!

Gallery: Travians screenshots

Continue reading MMObility: Travians and socializing on any device

MassivelyMMObility: Travians and socializing on any device originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 31 May 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beau-hindmanbrowser-basedf2pfeaturedfree-to-playftpgalleriesgalleryMMObilityscreenshotscreenshotssimssocial-mmoThe-Simstraviantravian-gamestraviangamestraviansTue, 31 May 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Outspark details Seven Dragons browser MMORTS]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/18/outspark-details-seven-dragons-browser-mmorts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/18/outspark-details-seven-dragons-browser-mmorts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/18/outspark-details-seven-dragons-browser-mmorts/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

There's a new MMO in the Outspark stable, and the creators of Divine Souls and Fiesta are branching out with its latest release. Seven Dragons is a browser-based real-time strategy title built on questing, character development, resource building, and PvP battles.

Seven Dragons features three combat modes with wildland monster hunting, player city invasions, and arena combat making up the majority of the game's armed conflict. Being an MMO and RTS hybrid, Seven Dragons also boasts city building, resource management, and of course, the chance to match wits with the titular wyrms. Check out the game guide on the official Outspark website, and start playing for free in the browser of your choice.

MassivelyOutspark details Seven Dragons browser MMORTS originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 May 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>7-dragonsbrowserbrowser-basedcasualf2pfree-to-playmmortsoutsparkpress-releasereal-time-strategyrtsseven-dragonssocialsocial-mmoWed, 18 May 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[First Impressions: Gunshine]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/18/first-impressions-gunshine/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/18/first-impressions-gunshine/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/18/first-impressions-gunshine/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Gunshine is a good example of a game that will probably be lumped into the "Facebook game" category. I bring this up only because the game uses Facebook as a vehicle for its content, yet it also takes advantage of some of the social aspects of the network. The truth is that it launches in its own window, so really it's as much of a "Facebook game" as Free Realms is. Many MMORPGs of all shapes and sizes use Facebook's social tools occasionally at the same level that Gunshine does.

So let's be clear: There is no farming or coin-clicking in Gunshine. It is simply a top-down shooter, and a cute one at that. While I soloed most of the time in the game, I was aided by the occasional extra player or rented NPC mercenary. What I found was a game that has a lot of potential, makes great use of Flash, and is a good amount of fun.

But I found plenty of issues as well. Join me past the cut and I'll tell you about it.

Continue reading First Impressions: Gunshine

MassivelyFirst Impressions: Gunshine originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 18 Apr 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-mmobeau-hindmanbrowserbrowser-mmof2pfacebookfeaturedfree-to-playftpgunshineshootersocial-gamessocial-mmosupercellMon, 18 Apr 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A Tale in the Desert launches Tale 5 today]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/07/a-tale-in-the-desert-launches-tale-5-today/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/07/a-tale-in-the-desert-launches-tale-5-today/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/07/a-tale-in-the-desert-launches-tale-5-today/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

For all that the MMO industry is occasionally decried as being a large gathering of copycats, there are some interesting outliers amidst a field of fantasy kill-fests. A Tale in the Desert is a prime example -- set in ancient Egypt, with a focus on character interaction and nonviolent problem resolution, it's really in a class of its own. And with the new installment of the game launching today, it's the perfect time for players who aren't familiar with the game to start mingling with newcomers. The fourth installment wrapped up in July, which makes for a quick turnaround into the newest iteration.

Unlike many other games in the genre, A Tale in the Desert runs for a while, then rests and starts over with new systems in place. This installment is featuring new Foraging and Aquaculture mechanics, allowing new ways to harvest plants and the ability to grow papyrus. The game is free for the first 24 hours of play, and each iteration tends to last for around six months. If the idea of a combat-free, crafting-focused game appeals to you, now would be the perfect time to head out into the lands of the Pharaoh.

MassivelyA Tale in the Desert launches Tale 5 today originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 07 Aug 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-tale-in-the-deserta-tale-in-the-desert-5atitdatitd-5craftingcrafting-systemsegenesisegypthistoricalhistorymmo-industryno-combatnon-combat-gamesocial-mmotale-5Sat, 07 Aug 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Blizzard's next MMO to be an MMOFPS]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/08/rumor-blizzards-next-mmo-to-be-an-mmofps/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/08/rumor-blizzards-next-mmo-to-be-an-mmofps/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/08/rumor-blizzards-next-mmo-to-be-an-mmofps/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Yep, another MMO rumor for you guys about the Blizzard's next title. While Blizzard has been very adamant in saying that their next MMO would be very different from World of Warcraft, there might be more difference here than just the game's setting.

The French gaming site NoFrag is reporting that Blizzard's next game will include an FPS portion as well as a social portion, splitting the player between two systems. While the player will be able to meet people, chat, and make friends in the social area of the game, they will also be able to then launch into the FPS portion with their friends and battle over objectives.

Adding this to the widely spread rumor that this next game is going to be a sci-fi title and Kaplan's hints that the game might be hitting consoles? We have a feeling we might be looking at a cyberpunk setting here, if players are switching between two "modes" of play. The social play would be set in the real world while the FPS would be set in a virtual landscape. But, of course, that's just our best guess.

[Via Blue's News]

MassivelyRumor: Blizzard's next MMO to be an MMOFPS originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 08 Jan 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzard-entertainmentblizzard-mmobreakingcyberpunkfpsmmofpsrumorsci-fisocialsocial-mmounnamed-mmoFri, 08 Jan 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Civilization building MMO Dawntide sets sights on closed beta]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/28/civilization-building-mmo-dawntide-sets-sights-on-closed-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/28/civilization-building-mmo-dawntide-sets-sights-on-closed-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/28/civilization-building-mmo-dawntide-sets-sights-on-closed-beta/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


If you ever wanted the chance to create your own society and then rule over it with an iron fist, then you may want to check out Danish developer Working As Intended's first title, Dawntide.

Dawntide is taking a more experimental approach to their MMO by attempting to capture all of the Bartle gamer types in one swing -- the explorer, socializer, killer, and achiever. To that end the game is offering meaningful combat, a player driven economy, territorial ownership, item "invention" mechanics, and options for players to create their own societies. Their goal in having players create societies is a hope that this type of play will offer options for everyone -- the socializer to create traction for their government, the explorer to find suitable areas of land, the achiever to push forwards with new ideas and items, and the killer to protect or upend these ideals.

Dawntide has just opened up their applications for phase one of closed beta, and you can get into the ground floor by filling out the form on their main website.

MassivelyCivilization building MMO Dawntide sets sights on closed beta originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bartle-typesclosed-betaclosed-beta-phase-1danishdawntidefantasysocial-mmoworking-as-intendedTue, 28 Jul 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Facebook MMO is the Warcraft killer, says EverQuest's lead developer]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/17/facebook-mmo-is-the-warcraft-killer-says-everquests-lead-devel/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/17/facebook-mmo-is-the-warcraft-killer-says-everquests-lead-devel/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/17/facebook-mmo-is-the-warcraft-killer-says-everquests-lead-devel/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


Ryan Barker, the lead designer of EverQuest, is a man who believes in the power of Facebook and social networking. In an interview with The Escapist, Barker is quoted as saying that a Facebook MMO might have the power to eclipse the MMO market much like World of Warcraft has already done some years back.

Barker's reasoning behind declaring a Facebook MMO as a champion is due to the ease of playing with your friends. Facebook has the power to remove many of an MMO's social blocks, such as a lack veteran players, ease of access, a lack of servers, and the ease of playing with your friends, and turn those stoppages into forward momentum for a game and its community.

Continue reading Facebook MMO is the Warcraft killer, says EverQuest's lead developer

MassivelyFacebook MMO is the Warcraft killer, says EverQuest's lead developer originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingeverquestfacebookfacebook-appsfacebook-mmolead-designerryan-barkersocial-mmosocial-networkingsocial-networking-mmosoesony-online-entertainmentWed, 17 Jun 2009 16:00:00 EST