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[SOE trademarks 'The Agency Covert Ops']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/24/soe-trademarks-the-agency-covert-ops/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/24/soe-trademarks-the-agency-covert-ops/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/24/soe-trademarks-the-agency-covert-ops/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

In the world of videogames, trademarks can mean just about anything. So when Sony Online Entertainment filed for the trademark to The Agency Covert Ops it's no surprise that rumors of a name change were floating around, especially since we haven't seen hide nor hair of The Agency for some time now.

We contacted SOE for a statement. Here's their response: "We are always trying to plan ahead for our titles in development and at times that means acquiring TM's or URL's that we feel we may want to own in the future. At this point SOE has made no official announcement regarding this Covert Ops TM and any information in the marketplace about it is premature."

What could this mean? Well, it could be a name change, but SOE has several studios from Seattle to L.A. down into Tucson and Austin, too. So, while it's very possible that Covert Ops could be a name change, our bet would be on either a wholly different game or potentially a future expansion. That's just our guess, of course. And there's always the possibility we may never know.

MassivelySOE trademarks 'The Agency Covert Ops' originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>soesoe-austinsoe-los-angelessoe-seattlesoe-tucsonsony-online-entertainmentthe-agencythe-agency-covert-opsWed, 24 Feb 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fan questions answered in DCUO Q&A video]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/23/fan-questions-answered-in-dcuo-qanda-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/23/fan-questions-answered-in-dcuo-qanda-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/23/fan-questions-answered-in-dcuo-qanda-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

SOE Austin recently put up a call for DC Universe Online fans to ask questions via Facebook for a video Q&A. Well, the team's answers are now live over at the social networking site and we think you'll be pleased with the results.

New information has been fairly sparse for the last few months, which makes this video feel like a sudden spring shower after a long dry winter. The questions run the gamut from weapons and equipment to PvP and how the game's tech and design goes the distance to make players feel like a DC style superhero. And don't worry if you missed out on submitting a question or if yours wasn't answered this go around, because the devs are very careful to say more of these are scheduled for the (hopefully near) future.

[Thanks, Max!]

MassivelyFan questions answered in DCUO Q&A video originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 23 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dc-universe-onlinedcuodeveloper-interviewfacebookinterviewpvpQ-and-Asoesoe-austinsony-online-entertainmentvideoSat, 23 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hal Jordan, Green Lantern, DC Universe Online screenshots]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/29/hal-jordan-green-lantern-dc-universe-online-screenshots/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/29/hal-jordan-green-lantern-dc-universe-online-screenshots/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/29/hal-jordan-green-lantern-dc-universe-online-screenshots/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


"In brightest days, in blackest night, No evil shall escape my sight. Let those who worship evil's might, beware my power, Green Lantern's light!"

If you're a comic book fan, then chances are you've heard this at one time or another. If you're a Green Lantern fan, then what's more likely is you say it at every opportunity you get. But let's face it, life doesn't really offer many favorable circumstances for reciting the Lantern's Oath. That's why we're hoping against hope that SOE goes all out and allows players to join the ranks of the Green Lantern Corps, which is essentially an intergalactic police force, in DC Universe Online.

Considering Geoff Johns, who is currently finishing up his amazing Green Lantern comic run, helped pen the game's storyline, we expect nothing less than amazing things when dawning our green (or otherwise?) ring once DC Universe Online is out. Check out the rest of the bevy of new Hal Jordan screenshots in our gallery.

Gallery: DC Universe Online

MassivelyHal Jordan, Green Lantern, DC Universe Online screenshots originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 29 Aug 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dc-universe-onlinedcuogeoff-johnsgreen-lanternhal-jordansinestrosoesoe-austinsuperheroSat, 29 Aug 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Alpha and beta status updates on DC Universe Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/28/alpha-and-beta-status-updates-on-dc-universe-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/28/alpha-and-beta-status-updates-on-dc-universe-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/28/alpha-and-beta-status-updates-on-dc-universe-online/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


There hasn't been a lot of new information flying about on DC Universe Online, which is probably just a sign that the SOE team over at Austin, TX are keeping their collective noses to the grinder and pushing for beta sometime in the coming months.

Actually, according to a Gamasutra interview with Wes Yanagi that very much seems to be the case, although he doesn't out and say as much. It sounds like cross-platform and controller/UI iteration are probably giving SOE the most grief. We take it as a good sign that they're not rushing it, though, as it shows their seriousness at making this 'massively multiplayer action game' work.

As for alpha and beta? According to Wes, "We're still pre-alpha. We're really close to hitting our alpha goals, so hopefully in the next several months, we'll start talking about it." Seems like the game is still a ways off into the future. So long as SOE doesn't release near a World of Warcraft expansion, we think they'll do just fine.

MassivelyAlpha and beta status updates on DC Universe Online originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 28 Aug 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>austinblizzardcataclysmdc-comicsdc-universe-onlinedcuogamasutrageoff-johnsjim-leemarv-wolfmansoesoe-austinsony-online-entertainmenttexasworld-of-warcraftwowFri, 28 Aug 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DCUO interview alludes to Aquaman issues]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/05/dcuo-interview-alludes-to-aquaman-issues/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/05/dcuo-interview-alludes-to-aquaman-issues/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/05/dcuo-interview-alludes-to-aquaman-issues/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

In a recent interview with MTV Multiplayer, DC Universe Online's creative director, Jens Anderson, defends the seemingly "simple" powers of Aquaman, while stating that there are no water-based powers in the game at the moment. "Aquaman is a badass," Anderson made clear. "And he's really, really powerful. People don't give him credit because they think he just talks to fish but he's more than that." This sentiment is taken as far as having "Aquaman Wednesdays" at the SOE Austin studios where DCUO is being developed.

If Aquaman can't swim and speak with the fishies, then what good will he be in the game? "Well, Aquaman is a founding member of the [Justice League of America] and the JLA are a huge factor in our game," Anderson explained. "And so the JLA will be a broader roster than it was in its initial launch way back in the day, but it will also have the core members; so Aquaman will be included in that, for sure. And it will be the Aquaman, not the new Aquaman."

MassivelyDCUO interview alludes to Aquaman issues originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Feb 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aquamandc-universe-onlinedcuojens-andersonsoe-austinsony-online-sntertainmentwaterThu, 05 Feb 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Killer Croc comes to DC Universe Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/25/killer-croc-comes-to-dc-universe-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/25/killer-croc-comes-to-dc-universe-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/25/killer-croc-comes-to-dc-universe-online/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


The most recent update to the DC Universe Online MySpace page has given us a new look at an old Batman adversary: Killer Croc. The bestial figure depicted in the newest batch of screenshots appears to call back to the heavily-mutated villain fans of the Hush story will be used to. Croc has gone through numerous permutations over the years, and this newest appears to be extraordinarily inhuman. The team will apparently be offering up these character focuses as the months progress. You can read up on Croc's place in DCUO, or click on through to our gallery to see the new screenshots on offer.

Gallery: E308: DC Universe Online Screenshots

MassivelyKiller Croc comes to DC Universe Online originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 25 Jan 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dc-universe-onlinedcuokiller-crocscreenshotssoesoe-austinsony-online-entertainmentSun, 25 Jan 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars Galaxies Dev Diary and video: Behind the scenes at Echo Base]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/star-wars-galaxies-dev-diary-and-video-behind-the-scenes-at-ech/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/star-wars-galaxies-dev-diary-and-video-behind-the-scenes-at-ech/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/star-wars-galaxies-dev-diary-and-video-behind-the-scenes-at-ech/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


The Star Wars Galaxies developers have been neck-deep in snow for months now, it seems. Since the launch of the Hoth heroic encounter in late November of last year, the SOE Austin devs have been tweaking and fine-tuning the experience for the enthused playerbase.The actual encounter is massive, and introduces a number of new roles and play opportunities for even longtime SWG players. We've talked about that before, with a highlight being a look at the encounter from the dev viewpoint at SOE Fan Faire.

Today we have the pleasure of offering up a brand-new developer diary from SOE designer Stephen Wyckoff, all about the "engineering support" required to put players in massive Imperial vehicles! Join Stephen below the cut as he talks AT-STs, design, development, and tuning encounters to meet high player expectations. We also have a fantastic new video from the developers that will give you just a taste of what it's like to experience the frozen fury of the Hoth battle. All that and more is beyond the cut.

Gallery: Star Wars Galaxies - Hoth

Continue reading Star Wars Galaxies Dev Diary and video: Behind the scenes at Echo Base

MassivelyStar Wars Galaxies Dev Diary and video: Behind the scenes at Echo Base originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dev-diaryfeaturedgame-update-6heroic-encountershothpatchsoe-austinstar-wars-galaxiesswgWed, 21 Jan 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively in Metropolis: Why your time online trumps game design]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/16/massively-in-metropolis-why-your-time-online-trumps-game-design/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/16/massively-in-metropolis-why-your-time-online-trumps-game-design/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/16/massively-in-metropolis-why-your-time-online-trumps-game-design/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


We've been exploring the game mechanics and design philosophy of DC Universe Online for the last week. We've talked about superpowers, factions, and questing, among a host of other issues. Today we want to be sure to highlight a fascinating exchange we had with DCUO Creative Director Jens Andersen and SOE Austin Creative Director Chris Cao about the role of fun in DCUO. Check out our back-and-forth on this issue in our new interview-style format below.
What is it about DCUO that's compelling the team to concentrate on the amount of fun a player is having moment by moment? It seems as thought that's a major focus for the the game.
Jens Andersen: It's a design philosophy. The key to us is: the most valuable thing the players have is online time together. So anything we do that provides an obstacle to that means we're wasting your time. It might be a great way to keep players in the game, when we ask you to run across an entire continent to go get something for your group. For you guys, it stinks. We don't want to waste your time.

Continue reading Massively in Metropolis: Why your time online trumps game design

MassivelyMassively in Metropolis: Why your time online trumps game design originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Oct 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dc-universe-onlinedcuofeaturedmassively-in-metropolissoesoe-austinsony-online-entertainmentThu, 16 Oct 2008 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[E308: The DC Universe Online trailer explained]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/17/e308-the-dc-universe-online-trailer-explained/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/17/e308-the-dc-universe-online-trailer-explained/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/17/e308-the-dc-universe-online-trailer-explained/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Sony Online Entertainment's upcoming title playpen at E3 offered several different delights. Prior to our lengthy conversation with DC Universe Online Creative Director Chris Cao and SOE-Austin VP of development John Blakely (in which they noted the game is 'already released'), we got to see a lengthy trailer which included some pre-recorded interview snippets. We aren't going to be able to provide you with the video itself for some time, but the voice content of the video is well worth reading up on.

Alongside Mr. Blakely and Mr. Cao, DC comics veteran Jim Lee also appears in the video. Mr. Lee is Executive Creative Director for the project, connecting the DC comics creative minds to the developers at SOE. We managed to sit down with Jim Lee to talk about his role on the project, a discussion we'll be able to share with you sometime next week. Read on for our introduction to the game, some hints about what they'll be offering at Comic-Con next week, and the vocal stylings of voiceover guy.

Continue reading E308: The DC Universe Online trailer explained

MassivelyE308: The DC Universe Online trailer explained originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 Jul 2008 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dc-universe-onlinedcuoe3-2008e3-dcuoe308featuredjoystiqfeaturessoesoe-austinsony-online-entertainmenttrailerThu, 17 Jul 2008 07:30:00 EST<![CDATA[E308: DC Universe Online already 'released' inside SOE]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/16/e308-dc-universe-online-already-released-inside-soe/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/16/e308-dc-universe-online-already-released-inside-soe/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/16/e308-dc-universe-online-already-released-inside-soe/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

We had a lengthy chat with the folks behind Sony Online Entertainment's upcoming super-hero MMO, DC Universe Online. Creative Director Chris Cao and SOE-Austin VP of development John Blakely were extremely forthcoming with details and preview information on the gigantic game. Make sure to check back over the next day or so for more on your passage into the world of the DC heroes. For now, we wanted to mention that (surprise) the game is already released! At least, within the halls of SOE, the game is very much a live product.

Chris Cao: John Blakely has started a "play it like it's live" initiative. We actually run everything like it's a live service. We do update notes to ourselves. We basically do everything you would do as a normal MMO that's already live because we've learned that changing that rhythm going from pre-launch to live is where most of the mistakes happen. Suddenly you are doing things faster, suddenly you're assuming consumer concerns instead of your own. By being our own consumers and being a provider to the company we get that experience up-front. By the time we get it out to you guys, we'll be old hat at it. We've already been doing it a year and we're going to keep going throughout the development process.

Gallery: E308: DC Universe Online concept art

Continue reading E308: DC Universe Online already 'released' inside SOE

MassivelyE308: DC Universe Online already 'released' inside SOE originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chris-caodc-universe-onlinedcuoe3-2008e3-dcuoe308featuredjohn-blakelyjoystiqfeaturessoesoe-austinsony-online-entertainmentWed, 16 Jul 2008 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Patch notes available for Star Wars Galaxies Game Update 4]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/10/patch-notes-available-for-star-wars-galaxies-game-update-4/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/10/patch-notes-available-for-star-wars-galaxies-game-update-4/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/10/patch-notes-available-for-star-wars-galaxies-game-update-4/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The Test Center server was updated yesterday with patch notes for the fourth Game Update to Star Wars Galaxies. This time around Commandos, Officers, and Smugglers are all looking at fairly significant changes. All three classes are popular (as popular as class without a lightsaber can be), but needed some serious overhauls.

Officers now have toggleable group buffs instead of timed ones, making one of their core functions far more utilitarian. They also have two types of rally points now, one offensive and one defensive. Commandos received a rework almost from the ground up, remaking their abilities to be more effective and understandable. Stackable element-based DoTs, all new expertise options, improvements to existing abilities ... GU4 is definitely Commando Christmas.

Smugglers snagged across-the-board tweaks, making their abilities generally mesh more cohesively, and even Bounty Hunters pulled down a few useful changes. Officers, Commandos, and Smugglers will receive free respecs when they log in, allowing them to make use of their new abilities. The update includes a number of smaller tweaks, supporting both the new DoT mechanics and the wearable equipment concealment code. There's even a brand new weapon for the reworked Commandos, the CC-V 'Legion' Cryo Projector. It's always nice to get new toys.

MassivelyPatch notes available for Star Wars Galaxies Game Update 4 originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 10 May 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>lucasartssoesoe-austinsony-online-entertainmentstar-wars-galaxiesswgswg-game-update-4Sat, 10 May 2008 13:00:00 EST