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[Storyboard: Archetype discussion -- the Soldier]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/12/storyboard-archetype-discussion-the-soldier/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/12/storyboard-archetype-discussion-the-soldier/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/12/storyboard-archetype-discussion-the-soldier/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Welcome to this week's installment of Storyboard, in which I'm starting off what I am tentatively hoping to keep as a semi-regular series. For all the previous discussion of characters that don't work, we haven't touched upon any that do work. And considering we've all sat there trying to think of any sort of hook for our characters, it's useful to have some stock types to draw from. I'm going to take a look at some of the more common stock types, how and why they work in a variety of settings, and what sort of touches you can add to make a character stand out.

Of course, the first archetype we're looking at doesn't stand out. In fact, he excels at being a part of something larger, a cog in a machine whose only purpose is death. He's fighting for Stormwind, he's fighting for Bastok, he's fighting for the UFP -- he's the universal soldier, and he really is to blame. So why not cue up some appropriate background music, and take a look at the soldier as an archetype.

Continue reading Storyboard: Archetype discussion -- the Soldier

MassivelyStoryboard: Archetype discussion -- the Soldier originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 12 Nov 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armiesarmycharacter-archetypescharacter-creationcharacter-rolesconflictdutyfeaturedideasmilitariesmilitaryopinionroleplayingrolesrpsoldiersoldiersstoryboardwarFri, 12 Nov 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Player vs. Everything: Gaming with a disability]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/28/player-vs-everything-gaming-with-a-disability/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/28/player-vs-everything-gaming-with-a-disability/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/28/player-vs-everything-gaming-with-a-disability/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Stephanie Walker was a gamer who had never expected to have to deal with a disability. She was 23 at the onset of her condition, a college student who also worked a full-time job. She liked to spend the little free time she had unwinding online. Initially resistant to the idea of playing EverQuest, Stephanie quickly discovered that slaying virtual orcs and bandits while joking around in party chat was surprisingly fun. It was a great way to keep in touch with long-distance friends and burn some stress after a long day. She didn't have a lot of time to play, but she was good at it when she did.

While working at her job one day, Stephanie noticed that her right hand and leg had fallen asleep. When she tried to get up to walk the sensation off, she realized that something was seriously wrong -- the entire right side of her body had just stopped working. Stephanie was rushed to the hospital, and the diagnosis was confirmed the following morning: she had multiple sclerosis, and she would have to deal with it for the rest of her life. Overnight, everything changed. She went from being someone who spent 20 hours per day away from home to someone who really never left. Moving around within her house required an enormous effort on her part. Even feeding herself had become a challenge. The little things, like not being able to get online and chat with her friends (something she really enjoyed) just made her situation that much more painful.

Continue reading Player vs. Everything: Gaming with a disability

MassivelyPlayer vs. Everything: Gaming with a disability originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 28 Apr 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>able-gamersaccessibilityblizzardcontrollerscraftingdisabilitydisableddisabled-accessdisabled-gamereverquestfeaturedflying-labfuncomgame-designguild-warsjoystiqfeaturesmultiple-sclerosisperipheralsplayer-vs-everythingsoftwaresoldiersoldiersveteransworld-of-warcraftMon, 28 Apr 2008 09:00:00 EST