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[Sony reinventing PlayStation Home to be more like an MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/23/sony-reinventing-playstation-home-to-be-more-like-an-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/23/sony-reinventing-playstation-home-to-be-more-like-an-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/23/sony-reinventing-playstation-home-to-be-more-like-an-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Playstation Home
PlayStation Home was a hugely anticipated feature for console fans, one that ultimately garnered mixed reviews and apathetic affection. Due to the reception, Sony has decided to reinvent the game lobby-slash-virtual-world to incorporate the best of themeparks, MMOs, and social networks.

When it relaunches this fall, PlayStation Home will look radically different, resembling a sleek mall with plenty to do and faster functionality for those who want to get right to their games. But between playing commercial titles, gamers are encouraged to hang out for a while, which is where MMO elements come into play.

The new Home has a number of districts, as an amusement park would, and in them players can pick up quests, go on treasure hunts, and explore these video game-themed zones to find hidden mysteries. Sony also promises that it will incorporate persistent, ongoing stories, similar to those you'd find in MMOs, such as an alien invasion that affects all of the areas.

Sony is hoping that the 23 million Home users will embrace this new experience and form stronger social connections through it.

MassivelySony reinventing PlayStation Home to be more like an MMO originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 23 Aug 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureamusement-parksconsolehomehorrorplaystationplaystation-3playstation-homeps3rebootreimaginerevampsocial-networksocial-networkingsonysportstheme-parktheme-parksTue, 23 Aug 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DUST 514 may go true F2P in the future]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/11/dust-514-may-go-true-f2p-in-the-future/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/11/dust-514-may-go-true-f2p-in-the-future/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/11/dust-514-may-go-true-f2p-in-the-future/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

While we've known that DUST 514 won't be as free as originally thought, there's still hope for a true free-to-play version to come. CCP's Hilmar Veigar Pétursson told GamesIndustry.biz that while PlayStation 3 owners will have to contend with a "cover charge" -- estimated to be between $10 and $20 -- before accessing the game for the first time, the company may drop it entirely in time.

This fee is meant to help with the initial start-up costs for DUST 514, and will be refunded to players in the form of in-game currency that can be spent on unspecified in-game microtransactions. Pétursson isn't ruling out the possibility that the game might go completely free-to-play in the future, however:
"You're really getting the game for free but you have to pre-buy credits in the beginning. We might go fully free-to-play down the line, but in the beginning we have a cover charge just to manage the initial launch of it. We have always been a big believer in growing up a social network behind the game in a slow and predictable way. Because we have seen that if you don't do that you can end up with a very unstructured experience, where there's no cohesion to the community. By growing it at the beginning we help to make a healthy environment initially."
We first reported on this cover charge during last month's E3. Pétursson says that CCP will see how the cover charge plays out during the game's testing period. The company is just now recovering from a hotbed of controversy involving EVE Online's approach to in-game item sales.

MassivelyDUST 514 may go true F2P in the future originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 11 Jul 2011 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamescover-chargecurrencydust-514e3e3-2011eveeve-onlinef2pfreefree-to-playgamesindustry.bizHilmar-Veigar-Péturssonin-game-currencyin-game-storeinterviewitem-storemicrotransactionsmonoclegateplaystation-3ps3social-networkMon, 11 Jul 2011 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Are social media connections in MMOs useless?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/18/the-daily-grind-are-social-media-connections-in-mmos-useless/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/18/the-daily-grind-are-social-media-connections-in-mmos-useless/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/18/the-daily-grind-are-social-media-connections-in-mmos-useless/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

I first started to notice it in Champions Online. Cryptic gave us the ability to broadcast our achievements in the game over Twitter: "CapnCrunch has reached level 10!" At the time, it felt like a silly idea that wouldn't catch on, but for some reason, it has. More and more we're seeing studios working hard to integrate popular social networks into their MMOs, and more and more I'm wondering... why?

RIFT has been big on doing this, implementing the ability not only to set your account to automatically tweet achievements ("Hey guys, I jumped off a bridge and didn't die!") but also to post them in Facebook. The game also allows you to record video and take screenshots to post online, which seems to me to be more useful but still probably not as captivating to a potential personal audience as one might hope.

So my question today concerns these social media connections in MMOs -- are they useless? Are they just a fad that few people use? Do the ones who do use them end up annoying their followers with a stream of spam messages? Or do people actually enjoy the ability to have their games tie in with their social networks and see how their friends are progressing?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Are social media connections in MMOs useless? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 May 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementschampionschampions-onlinefacebookmyspaceopinionriftscreenshotssocial-mediasocial-networksocial-networkingsocial-networkstdgthe-daily-grindtumblrtweettweetstwittervideoyoutubeWed, 18 May 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online to get shiny new forums as part of Incursion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/12/eve-online-to-get-shiny-new-forums-as-part-of-incursion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/12/eve-online-to-get-shiny-new-forums-as-part-of-incursion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/12/eve-online-to-get-shiny-new-forums-as-part-of-incursion/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Despite calls for some new features, the EVE Online forums haven't changed much at all since their release in 2003. A search feature was added several years ago, but it failed to produce reliable results. As usually happens when there's something missing in EVE, the community filled in the gaps with Chribba's popular EVE-Search forum archive and search tool. In a new devblog, CCP Alice has revealed that the forum will finally get a face-lift during the Incursion expansion. Players will be happy to know that a useful advanced search feature is definitely on the way, with some handy innovations like the ability to subscribe to an RSS feed of your search results.

In addition to displaying the shiny new avatars we'll create with the new character generator, the new forum has a quick-reply feature, a "like" button next to every post and a share option to link the post on various social networking tools. Each thread will also post to an RSS feed, so you can subscribe to interesting threads and receive replies on any device with an RSS reader. Players will also have a favourite thread list, which could be handy for saving a list of the various guides and information posts players find themselves looking up on a regular basis. The new forum will be integrated with EVE Gate, and the old forum will be left as an archive for posterity. The exact release schedule of the new forum isn't yet decided, but as it's part of Incursion, it will have to be released before the summer.

MassivelyEVE Online to get shiny new forums as part of Incursion originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-aliceccp-eveccp-gamesdevblogeveeve-ccpeve-gateeve-mmorpgeve-onlineforumincursionsocial-networksocial-networkingWed, 12 Jan 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A look at Aeria Games and their social network]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/10/a-look-at-aeria-games-and-their-social-network/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/10/a-look-at-aeria-games-and-their-social-network/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/10/a-look-at-aeria-games-and-their-social-network/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


When I was asked to do a write up about Aeria games, I smiled. Not only do some of my favorite FTP games come from the developer, but I have always liked how they present their products. While social networks are anything but brand new and uncommon, Aeria does theirs in a way that makes you want to play their games and to dive into their world.

I decided to take a broad look at the two major areas: First, I wanted to try out the social network area of their site. It's standard stuff, really, but works well and is fun to fill out. I also wanted to try out some of their mini-games that are hosted on the site itself. Next I wanted to look at one of their games, Shin Megami Tensei: Imagine Online. There are a total of 16 titles to choose from, so I decided to go with one that I had enjoyed the most. It's been fun so far, and I'm glad I am going to be able to shine a little light on one of my favorite publishers!

Continue reading A look at Aeria Games and their social network

MassivelyA look at Aeria Games and their social network originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 10 Apr 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aeriaaeria-gamesdream-of-mirror-onlineDreamOfMirrorOnlinefeaturedfree-to-playftpshin-megami-tenseiShinMegamiTenseisocial-networkSocialNetworkSat, 10 Apr 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC10: Torfi Frans Olafsson gives details on Tyrannis, Incarna and more]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/14/gdc10-torfi-frans-olafsson-gives-details-on-tyrannis-incarna-a/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/14/gdc10-torfi-frans-olafsson-gives-details-on-tyrannis-incarna-a/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/14/gdc10-torfi-frans-olafsson-gives-details-on-tyrannis-incarna-a/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

For the last few weeks, EVE Online players have been getting excited about the up-coming Tyrannis expansion with its Planetary Interaction feature. We received our first taste of what Tyrannis will hold last month when the expansion was announced and since then we've speculated on how its planetary interaction feature might work. Although CCP haven't answered our interview questions on Tyrannis yet, we caught up with EVE Senior Producer Torfi Frans Olafsson at GDC 2010 to get the inside scoop. Torfi was keen to point out that a lot of what CCP are doing in Tyrannis is laying the foundation for future updates and expansions. He calls Tyrannis "a stepping stone toward something even bigger."

In addition to providing some inside info on the upcoming Tyrannis and Incarna expansions, Torfi revealed that there are more people working on EVE today than ever before. In contrast to MMOs that cut down their development team sizes once the game is out, CCP's ranks have been increasing at a huge rate in recent years. The ever-increasing revenue generated by EVE subscribers allows them to fund a large development team dedicated to making the game better for EVE players. "We've never had as many subscribers as we have today", says Torfi, "330,000 subscribers, like actual paying subscribers, not counting trials." It's thanks to all those subscribers that CCP are beginning to realise dreams they were never able to achieve when the game was less popular.

Skip past the cut to see what Torfi Frans Olafsson had to say about Tyrannis, Incarna and more.

Continue reading GDC10: Torfi Frans Olafsson gives details on Tyrannis, Incarna and more

MassivelyGDC10: Torfi Frans Olafsson gives details on Tyrannis, Incarna and more originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 14 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ambulationccpccp-eveccp-gamesdeveloperdeveloperseveeve-ccpeve-gateeve-mmorpgeve-onlineexpansionExpansionsexplorationfeaturedgdc-2010incarnaindustrymanufacturingminingmmo-industrynew-edenplanetplanetssocialsocial-networksocial-networkingtorfi-frans-olafssontyranniswalking-in-stationswormholesSun, 14 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively's EVE Online PLEX contest: "New Eden"]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/30/massivelys-eve-online-plex-contest-new-eden/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/30/massivelys-eve-online-plex-contest-new-eden/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/30/massivelys-eve-online-plex-contest-new-eden/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Massively's "Enemy at the Gate" contest for EVE Online was quite popular last week, and there were some very good entries. It was a contest where there could only be two winners (to be announced shortly), but as promised Massively is running a second contest this week. The contest is simply titled "New Eden," named after the social network for EVE Online that will extend the game experience beyond the game client. Ultimately the New Eden social network will bring aspects of EVE to mobile phones and the web, the hope being that it creates a number of new ways to access and experience the game.

Just like last week, this will essentially be a writing contest, where we pose a question to you about EVE's Dominion expansion (and beyond). Your entry (limited to 200 words or less, details below) will be judged by the Massively staff on the merits of creativity and presentation. You'll have one full week to enter, by answering our question in the comments below this post. Two prizes will be awarded. The grand prize will be 15 Pilot License Extensions (PLEX), which is 15 months of EVE game time. First prize will be 10 PLEX, so 10 months of EVE game time. Got all that? Great. So here we go -- to enter Massively's PLEX contest, answer this question in the comments below, limiting your response to 200 words or less:

How will the "New Eden" social network for EVE affect your playstyle? Will the ability to handle tasks when you're unable to log in change the game experience for you?

Continue reading Massively's EVE Online PLEX contest: "New Eden"

MassivelyMassively's EVE Online PLEX contest: "New Eden" originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamesccp-plex-contestcontestseveeve-onlinegiveawaysnew-edenplexsci-fisocial-networkMon, 30 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GameX 2009: Mobile EVE Online app, codenamed NeoCom, and IM program in development]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/27/gamex-2009-mobile-eve-online-app-codenamed-neocom-and-im-prog/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/27/gamex-2009-mobile-eve-online-app-codenamed-neocom-and-im-prog/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/27/gamex-2009-mobile-eve-online-app-codenamed-neocom-and-im-prog/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

During their presentation at GameX 2009 on agile game development, Nathan Richardsson and Adalsteinn "Alli" Óttarsson revealed the slide above, showing EVE Online's many facets and how they all tie into one another. But what's this down in the corner? A mobile application and a instant messaging client?

While information was scarce, we were able to confirm that CCP is certainly interested in the mobile market, especially with EVE. Neocom is planned to be a multi-mobile platform project, going beyond the iPhone to add "interaction with EVE Online in a meaningful way."

The plan seems to be to extend EVE across multiple locations to give players the ability to access all sorts of information from places outside of the game. It was mentioned that Neocom could do things like use corporation chat, check and change trades, and introduce other methods of two way interaction.

Later in the day, we'll be putting up our video interview with Alli Óttarsson and Nathan Richardsson on a variety of topics, Neocom included. Check back for more exclusive coverage of GameX 2009!

MassivelyGameX 2009: Mobile EVE Online app, codenamed NeoCom, and IM program in development originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingccpcosmoseveeve-mobileeve-onlineim-clientinstant-messengermobile-appmobile-applicationneocomnew-edensocial-networkTue, 27 Oct 2009 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Sacred Seasons: The flash-based MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/14/sacred-seasons-the-flash-based-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/14/sacred-seasons-the-flash-based-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/14/sacred-seasons-the-flash-based-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


We're not entirely sure how this one slipped under our radar. Perhaps it was a quiet launch, or perhaps it was a flash based massively multiplayer game, but we somehow failed to mention Sacred Seasons.

So now we're going to take the time to correct that error -- enter Sacred Seasons, an MMO that runs entirely in flash and entirely in your internet browser. The game tells the story of the Heartlands, a world that's much like ours except in hyperbole, where the seasons dominate so strongly that they resonate in humanity itself. The people of the world have broken off into four separate tribes, one each dedicated to one of the seasons. All of them ally together, however, to fight a plague spreading across the world -- the growing corruption of the badlands, areas of nothingness.

Continue reading Sacred Seasons: The flash-based MMO

MassivelySacred Seasons: The flash-based MMO originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>active-time-battleemerald-city-gamesfacebookflash-gameflash-mmokongregatesacred-seasonssocial-networkturn-basedturn-based-combatWed, 14 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online achievements via Avatars United]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/29/eve-online-achievements-via-avatars-united/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/29/eve-online-achievements-via-avatars-united/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/29/eve-online-achievements-via-avatars-united/#commentsFiled under: ,

CCP Games may not feel that an Achievements system (beyond the bragging rights with Certificates) really fits the setting of EVE Online, but it's something players can get via Avatars United, a social network for MMO gamers. More specifically, Avatars United is a social network for your avatars across a wide range of MMOs.

We mentioned Avatars United and its growing EVE Online community a while back. The guys at Enemy Unknown -- the people behind Avatars United -- have built some EVE-specific apps for their users which might be of some interest our readers. These apps make use of a player's (full) API allowing the apps to access and display all sorts of character information within the Avatars United social network.

Continue reading EVE Online achievements via Avatars United

MassivelyEVE Online achievements via Avatars United originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementsapiavatars-unitedccp-gamescertificatesenemy-unknowneveeve-achievementseve-kill-trackereve-onlinesocial-networksocial-networkingTue, 29 Sep 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE social network COSMOS roadmap revealed, some features delayed]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/28/eve-social-network-cosmos-roadmap-revealed-some-features-delaye/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/28/eve-social-network-cosmos-roadmap-revealed-some-features-delaye/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/28/eve-social-network-cosmos-roadmap-revealed-some-features-delaye/#commentsFiled under: , ,


COSMOS is the social network for EVE Online slated to arrive with this winter's Dominion expansion, which CCP Games describes as "EVE away from EVE". Ultimately, it's a way to extend the game experience into new platforms such as web and mobile, along with voice integration -- but this is the long-term plan. In the short term, they've announced a delay with rolling out some of the previously mentioned features when Dominion launches. The initial release will focus on the new in-game mail system being tied into COSMOS and laying the groundwork for other features to come in early 2010.

EVE Online developer CCP Caedmon explained the reasons behind this delay: "We think that this delay for the web application is the right move because we have always had our sights set on the long game for COSMOS. The first release, while crammed with good stuff, was always intended to lay the basis for the ground-breaking innovations to come. Rushing COSMOS out with less polish didn't make sense in this context, we want to impress from day one."

Continue reading EVE social network COSMOS roadmap revealed, some features delayed

MassivelyEVE social network COSMOS roadmap revealed, some features delayed originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>calendarccp-caedmoncontactscosmosdev-blogdev-blogsdominioneve-onlineexpansionsfacebookfeaturesmailsci-fisocial-networksocial-networkingMon, 28 Sep 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Alganon sets October release date]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/15/alganon-sets-october-release-date/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/15/alganon-sets-october-release-date/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/15/alganon-sets-october-release-date/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Alganon is an upcoming fantasy MMO that we here at Massively have our eyes on. It is said to integrate more of an expansive social network than we may already be used to, as well as a new look at on and offline skill advancement.

But the real news here is that Quest Online, the makers of Alganon, have announced a launch date of October 31 of this year. In preparation for this launch, the forums have been completely revamped. Preorders will also be taken later this month, featuring a digital download option and special preorder bonuses, to be announced later. Check out the official Alganon website for more details.

MassivelyAlganon sets October release date originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alganonlaunch-datepreorderquest-onlinesocial-networksocial-networkingTue, 15 Sep 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Can it be? New in game web browser arriving for EVE Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/14/can-it-be-new-in-game-web-browser-arriving-for-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/14/can-it-be-new-in-game-web-browser-arriving-for-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/14/can-it-be-new-in-game-web-browser-arriving-for-eve-online/#commentsFiled under: , ,


The developers at CCP Games just dropped some good news about the new in-game web browser (IGB) for EVE Online they've been working on, codenamed "Moondoggie", one that will deliver a "tenfold performance boost" over what exists today. We've checked CNN and BBC, and even Fox News, but hell is not freezing over... pigs are not in flight. The long-awaited new browser is on the way.

EVE Online players have been screaming about wanting a revamped in-game browser since well before Massively was even born, particularly as so many useful third-party sites function as in-game utilities for players to use without the need to alt-tab out. Of course, despite the frustrations players have felt with the IGB, delivering a better one is no simple matter. CCP Games has periodically stated that it's something they're looking into or working on, but today's dev blog written by CCP Pleognost, "The Second Coming of Moondoggie", confirms the details of the project. And that it's close to being ready.

Continue reading Can it be? New in game web browser arriving for EVE Online

MassivelyCan it be? New in game web browser arriving for EVE Online originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 14 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccp-gamesccp-pleognostcosmosdev-blogdev-blogseveeve-onlineforumsigbin-game-browsermoondoggienew-featuressci-fisingularitysocial-networksocial-networkingtest-serverthird-party-applicationsweb-applicationsFri, 14 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Video interview focuses on emergent gameplay in EVE Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/13/video-interview-focuses-on-emergent-gameplay-in-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/13/video-interview-focuses-on-emergent-gameplay-in-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/13/video-interview-focuses-on-emergent-gameplay-in-eve-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Part of what's so interesting about video games, and MMOs specifically, is that players often do things the game designers never envisioned. This is especially the case with a sandbox MMO like EVE Online where the developers provide a setting and the players establish their own virtual society of sorts. The topic of emergent gameplay in EVE came up in a recent video interview from the Nordic Game Conference, where our friend Petter Mårtensson from Gamereactor spoke with CCP Games Executive Producer Nathan "Oveur" Richardsson.

Their conversation touches upon what the players are doing with wormhole exploration (with around 2500 uncharted solar systems) and CCP's excitement when player alliances clash and create their own stories of conflict. The interview also covers Walking in Stations (avatars), the COSMOS social network that will tie in with EVE, and the company's intent to alter 0.0 space with more tools to build empires and more incentives to get people out there into these lawless regions. Stick with us for a video embed of the Gamereactor interview with CCP's Nathan Richardsson.

Continue reading Video interview focuses on emergent gameplay in EVE Online

MassivelyVideo interview focuses on emergent gameplay in EVE Online originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 13 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccp-gamescosmosdustdust-514eveeve-onlinegamereactorgdc-europeinterviewsnathan-richardssonnordic-game-conferenceoveurpetter-martenssonsci-fisenior-producersocial-networksocial-networkingvideowalking-in-stationsworld-of-darknessThu, 13 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online social network 'COSMOS' coming with Winter expansion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/21/eve-online-social-network-cosmos-coming-with-winter-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/21/eve-online-social-network-cosmos-coming-with-winter-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/21/eve-online-social-network-cosmos-coming-with-winter-expansion/#commentsFiled under: , ,


The EVE Online developers have released the first solid bit of info regarding the game's Winter expansion, which will include a social network called COSMOS. Unfortunately, the as-yet-unnamed Winter expansion won't bring Walking in Stations (3D avatars), to the best of our knowledge. Any announcement of the next expansion's features is still a long way off, but a dev blog from EVE developer CCP Caedmon focuses on COSMOS and what it will bring to the game.

COSMOS will debut with a limited feature set, with more added to the platform over time. However, if CCP Games can deliver on what Caedmon mentions, it should go down well with the playerbase since these features will be tied in with the game.

Continue reading EVE Online social network 'COSMOS' coming with Winter expansion

MassivelyEVE Online social network 'COSMOS' coming with Winter expansion originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apiccp-caedmonccp-gamescosmosdev-blogdev-blogseve-onlineforumssci-fisocial-networksocial-networkingwalking-in-stationswinter-expansionTue, 21 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Warcraft is for "hardcore" young male gamers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/22/world-of-warcraft-is-for-hardcore-young-male-gamers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/22/world-of-warcraft-is-for-hardcore-young-male-gamers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/22/world-of-warcraft-is-for-hardcore-young-male-gamers/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Yes. That's right. The most accessible MMO is too hardcore for the standard audience, according to Forbes.com and Rob Hutter of the recently unveiled Gazillion Entertainment. In a recent interview with Hutter, he was quoted as saying that the MMO market could expand outside of "targeting the hardcore gamer demographic," using World of Warcraft as his main example.

Forbes.com paraphrased him as saying, "...Most people unaccustomed to MMOs might be intimidated by complex games like 'Warcraft,' Hutter says trends in technology suggest the audience for simple, well-designed games will grow quickly. The runaway success of Nintendo's Wii proved virgin gamers will try new titles if they are easy to play, while the boom in social networks like Facebook suggests people of all ages are looking for new ways to interact online, he says."

While we understand what he's getting at and can appreciate trying to target gamers outside of the main demographic, we think he might need to pick a better example next time. WoW can be intimidating for first time users, but something must have clicked with the non-hardcore gaming crowd as many of them have stuck around in Azeroth. Unless, of course, all 11 million of the World of Warcraft subscribers have suddenly become hardcore male gaming nerds, and those newbies in our guilds are simply the stuff of illusion.

[Via Hardcore Casual]

MassivelyWorld of Warcraft is for "hardcore" young male gamers originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 22 Mar 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualcomplexforbes.comgazillion-entertainmenthardhardcorenintendoraidingrob-huttersocial-networkwiiworld-of-warcraftSun, 22 Mar 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Multiverse reveals a peek at their upcoming flash development platform]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/10/multiverse-reveals-a-peek-at-their-upcoming-flash-development-pl/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/10/multiverse-reveals-a-peek-at-their-upcoming-flash-development-pl/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/10/multiverse-reveals-a-peek-at-their-upcoming-flash-development-pl/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Imagine booting up your computer to play your favorite online game with your friend, except he's in an airport waiting for a flight and you're at home in your office chair. You see a glorious 3-D world from the comfort of your computer monitor, and he sees a two dimensional isometric view from his hunched view over his mobile phone. You use your mouse to click your action buttons and fight monsters, and he just taps the screen with his finger. You're questing together, winning battles together, except you see the world entirely in 3-D and he's seeing it in 2-D.

If you're thinking that this scenario is entirely implausible, you would be wrong. MMO tools developer Multiverse has recently unveiled a sneak peek at their upcoming flash toolset by launching the flash based game Multiverse Battle.

Continue reading Multiverse reveals a peek at their upcoming flash development platform

MassivelyMultiverse reveals a peek at their upcoming flash development platform originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 10 Feb 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2d3dbattlecorey-bridgesdeveloper-toolsfacebookflashfriendsterinterviewkongregatemmomultiversemultiverse-battlemyspacesocial-networkvirtual-worldsTue, 10 Feb 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WeeWorld announces 'World']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/20/weeworld-announces-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/20/weeworld-announces-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/20/weeworld-announces-world/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

WeeWorld, the company that gave us the ubiquitous WeeMees, has answered its customers' requests for a virtual world. It's the next logical step for a company that's consistently listened to what its users want.

To be entitled 'World' (well, at least it's easy to pronounce) the new virtual world will offer a space for users to walk around in and interact as their avatars. Future content will likely include quest and gaming elements, and an oft-requested shopping feature.

Continue reading WeeWorld announces 'World'

MassivelyWeeWorld announces 'World' originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 May 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>social-networkteenteenagersteensvirtual-worldsweeworldworldTue, 20 May 2008 10:30:00 EST