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 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Fallen Earth prepares new Deathtoll weapons and the perilous Dome]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/11/fallen-earth-prepares-new-deathtoll-weapons-and-the-perilous-dom/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/11/fallen-earth-prepares-new-deathtoll-weapons-and-the-perilous-dom/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/11/fallen-earth-prepares-new-deathtoll-weapons-and-the-perilous-dom/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Fallen Earth introduces new Deathtoll weapons and the perilous Dome
It's March! Spring is in the air, bringing with it the lilting cries of embattled players and their screams of horrific agony floating on the breeze. March is bringing its springtime magic to Fallen Earth in the form of new Deathtoll weapons, a new two-player PvE gauntlet, and the long-awaited AP Augmentation system.

Players will soon be able to snatch up the Jet Engine Hammer and the sawn-off Murder of Crows Shotgun for their arsenal. These Deathtoll weapons will be some of the first to use AP Augmentation. We don't have a lot of details on this new customization system yet, but we do know that "weapons will have various stats that players can put AP in that will enhance aspects of the weapon." The system will be introduced with weapons for max level characters and expand to armor later.

The Dome is an abandoned football stadium that's been repurposed as a deathtrap for level 55 players. When it goes live, you'll be able to queue as a pair or get matched up through solo queue before heading in to face 10 deadly bosses. Each boss you defeat will ramp up the difficulty and rewards for your next encounter. One of the key rewards from this experience will be recipes and components for the new Augmentation system.

MassivelyFallen Earth prepares new Deathtoll weapons and the perilous Dome originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 11 Mar 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apaugmentationdeathtollf2pfallen-earthfefree-to-playg1gamersfirstpost-apocpost-apocalypticsandboxsci-fisotgthe-domewastelandsMon, 11 Mar 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lineage II looks back at 2012 and forward to 2013]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/24/lineage-ii-looks-back-at-2012-and-forward-to-2013/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/24/lineage-ii-looks-back-at-2012-and-forward-to-2013/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/24/lineage-ii-looks-back-at-2012-and-forward-to-2013/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Not included in next year's updates are add-on packs for your armor spikes to give you additional spikes.
Lineage II went free-to-play last year, and according to the newest state of the game letter, that conversion went very well indeed. The letter points out that more than one and a half million new accounts were created in 2012 alone, an impressive number for any game and doubly so for a game approaching its ninth anniversary. Over 800,000 store items have been sold, solidifying the game's performance and moneymaking capabilities. In other words, if you were worried the game wasn't doing well, you can stop worrying.

But what about the future? Well, there's another major installment of the Goddess of Destruction series due out. The development team is also looking into a variety of improvements for players including tradeable shop items, methods of gifting microtransaction currency, and more options to pay for your cash shop purchases. There's also discussion of more events and tournaments for everyone to enjoy, showing that the title is aging but still has quite a lot of life left.

MassivelyLineage II looks back at 2012 and forward to 2013 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 24 Jan 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coming-attractionscoming-patchescoming-updatesf2pfantasyfree-to-playlineagelineage-2lineage-iilooking-forwardncsoftsotgstate-of-the-gameupcoming-updatesyear-in-advanceThu, 24 Jan 2013 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Captain's Log: The state of Star Trek Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/24/captains-log-state-of-star-trek-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/24/captains-log-state-of-star-trek-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/24/captains-log-state-of-star-trek-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

STO Regent Class Header
This week saw the release of a new State of the Game blog from Star Trek Online Executive Producer Daniel Stahl. Much of what he said gave players hope for the future of Star Trek Online, including remarks that the game is "thriving at a time when many MMOs have kicked or are about to kick the bucket." The blog also featured some additional comments about the future of the game and how the company planning for 2013 and beyond.

Join me as I discuss his blog post and the poll results that were generated over the past couple of weeks. I'll also take a look at the future of the game, the expanding STO team, The Foundry, and the Klingon Empire.

Continue reading Captain's Log: The state of Star Trek Online

MassivelyCaptain's Log: The state of Star Trek Online originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 24 Sep 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studiosask-crypticcaptains-logcrypticcryptic-studiosdan-stahldaniel-stahlf2pfeaturedfree-to-playneverwinteropinionparagon-studiosperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpollpwesci-fisotgstar-trekstar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlineState-of-the-gamestoMon, 24 Sep 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Captain's Log: The state of Star Trek Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/30/captains-log-the-state-of-star-trek-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/30/captains-log-the-state-of-star-trek-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/30/captains-log-the-state-of-star-trek-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

STO EV Suits HEADER
This past week, Star Trek Online's developers proved they're listening to community feedback. STO Executive Producer Daniel Stahl has released this month's state-of-the-game letter, Foundry missions are playable again, and a few of the game's developers began preparations for their appearance at the upcoming Discussion with the Devs panel, which will be co-hosted by Massively and Trek Radio at the official Star Trek convention in Las Vegas.

Still, there are some outstanding issues that haven't been addressed by Cryptic or Perfect World, and some players are beginning to wonder whether PvP has been laid to rest in STO. Also, the addition of a new EV suit to the ZEN Store has ruffled quite a few feathers, including mine. Join me while I sift through what happened in STO over the past week!

Continue reading Captain's Log: The state of Star Trek Online

MassivelyCaptain's Log: The state of Star Trek Online originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Jul 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>captains-logcrypticcryptic-studiosdan-griffisdan-stahldaniel-stahlf2pfeaturedfoundryfree-to-playlas-vegasopinionperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpwesci-fisotgstar-trekstar-trek-conventionstar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlineState-of-the-gamestothe-foundryMon, 30 Jul 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Trek Online's Foundry is back online, sort of]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/27/star-trek-onlines-foundry-is-back-online-sort-of/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/27/star-trek-onlines-foundry-is-back-online-sort-of/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/27/star-trek-onlines-foundry-is-back-online-sort-of/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Star Trek Online
Star Trek Online Executive Producer Dan Stahl has just posted his latest state-of-the-game letter to the official site, declaring that Season Six marks the perfect time for a new player to jump in, thanks to its streamlined mission structure and brand-new starbases.

Here's the juicy bit: Current players know that The Foundry, the game's player-generated content system, has been offline for quite a long time as a result of tweaks made to it by the Season Six patch. Stahl notes that the team is still working on the issues but has finally brought part of the system back online:
Season 6 also introduces some nice improvements for our Foundry. As some may have noticed though, we have yet to turn on these new features yet. The QA team is working diligently as they continue to sort through some specific bugs with previously existing missions. Once those bugs are sorted through, we will then open up the editor - as of today, we have turned on the ability to play existing, republished missions.
Stahl finishes with a quick mention of the dreaded lock boxes, the Star Trek convention in August, and plans for Season Seven. Check out the entire state-of-the-game letter at the official site.

MassivelyStar Trek Online's Foundry is back online, sort of originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Jul 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crypticcryptic-studiosdan-stahldaniel-stahlf2pfoundryfree-to-playperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpgcpwesci-fisotgstar-trekstar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlineState-of-the-gamestothe-foundryFri, 27 Jul 2012 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Champions Online has a new Executive Producer and a new State of the Game]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/16/champions-online-has-a-new-executive-producer-and-a-new-state-of/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/16/champions-online-has-a-new-executive-producer-and-a-new-state-of/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/16/champions-online-has-a-new-executive-producer-and-a-new-state-of/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Technically, I think that wearing a suit of chainmail with a 9-volt battery attached is powered armor.
Changes in administration for any game can leave players a bit rattled -- and with a game like Champions Online that's already seen several management changes, it's even more disconcerting. That's only one of the big takeaways from the game's newest State of the Game address, which opens up with Rob Overmeyer outlining the game's recent updates and announcing that he's stepping down from his current role as executive producer (although he's remaining with the game's development staff).

Brad Stokan, the new executive producer, has enough in his portion of the letter that you might forget about the first half. He explains that the team is working on building new content updates around overall themes, with June's major theme -- in both story content and mechanical inclusions -- being powered armor. This is going to continue with new Alerts and special events based around themes. He also teases that we may very well see superheroic vehicles in the game in the near future, giving players of Champions Online plenty to look forward to under new administration.

MassivelyChampions Online has a new Executive Producer and a new State of the Game originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 16 Jun 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brad-stokanchampionschampions-onlinechampscocrypticcryptic-studiosf2pfree-to-playfuture-patchesfuture-updatespatchesperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpreviewspwerob-overmeyersotgstate-of-the-gamesuperherosuperheroesthemed-contentthemed-updatesthemesupdatesSat, 16 Jun 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Trek Online updates players on the next two seasons in State of the Game letter]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/16/star-trek-online-updates-players-on-the-next-two-seasons-in-stat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/16/star-trek-online-updates-players-on-the-next-two-seasons-in-stat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/16/star-trek-online-updates-players-on-the-next-two-seasons-in-stat/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Firing photon torpedos has never looked so wonderfully disproportionate.
When a game goes free-to-play, the development team has to change up its priorities. Star Trek Online changed up the leveling path when the business model was changed, giving players new and old an easier path to higher levels. But now that players are at the endgame, what comes next? The newest State of the Game letter addresses that, looking to the next two updates as major improvements for players looking to take on new projects.

Season 6 is almost ready for live, and it's bringing along fleet starbases and group projects to help keep players involved. Season 7 is aimed at introducing the Tholians to the game and a new sector, giving players a new form of story-based content without specifically using the Featured Episode system that's previously been employed. This is just scratching the surface of what's available, of course, so players should take a look at the full letter to get a better idea of where the game is heading over the next several months.

MassivelyStar Trek Online updates players on the next two seasons in State of the Game letter originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 16 Jun 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crypticcryptic-studiosf2pfleetsfree-to-playfuture-patchesfuture-updatesgame-mechanicsguild-mechanicsguildsimprovementsmechanicspatch-previewspatchesperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpwesci-fisotgstar-trekstar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestate-of-the-gamestosystemsupdatesSat, 16 Jun 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Behind the Mask: The real state of the game]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/02/behind-the-mask-the-real-state-of-the-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/02/behind-the-mask-the-real-state-of-the-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/02/behind-the-mask-the-real-state-of-the-game/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Although Champions Online's most recent State of the Game has been out for a while, I sort of avoided talking about it in previous editions of Behind the Mask. The main reason was because I really wanted to cover the new powersets. However, that doesn't mean I don't have any comments on it.

If you look at the history of the State of the Game and Ask Cryptic entries, they fluctuate quite a bit between good information and annoying PR. The January SOTG was full of annoying PR, and it bothered me greatly. It felt dishonest. I saw a lot of hype on little things that no one wanted and very little on what people really wanted.

This week, I'm going to talk about the real state of the game: where CO is and where it needs to go. I'll also talk about some of the future stuff that Robobo mentioned in the SOTG. Is it good or bad? We'll see!

Continue reading Behind the Mask: The real state of the game

MassivelyBehind the Mask: The real state of the game originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Archetypesbehind-the-maskchampions-onlinecocrypticcryptic-champions-onlinecryptic-cocryptic-studiosfeaturedopinionperfect-world-entertainmentpwesotgState-of-the-gameThu, 02 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Champions Online looks back to look forward in January State of the Game]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/23/champions-online-looks-back-to-look-forward-in-january-state-of/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/23/champions-online-looks-back-to-look-forward-in-january-state-of/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/23/champions-online-looks-back-to-look-forward-in-january-state-of/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Screenshot -- Champions Online
It's a new year, and many game studios are stating their revolutions for the coming months. Cryptic Studios is joining that club with Champions Online's first State of the Game post for 2012. Rob Overmeyer, the game's Executive Producer, takes some time to reminisce on CO's progress throughout 2011, which included the title's jump to a F2P business model as well as a number of content updates. After that little stroll down memory lane, Overmeyer gives players a glimpse of the future as he addresses the features of the game's next major update. These include an entirely overhauled itemization system, a new enhancement system, alerts, and more. For the complete details, click through the link below to Champions Online's January 2012 State of the Game.

MassivelyChampions Online looks back to look forward in January State of the Game originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>championschampions-onlinecocontent-updatescrypticcryptic-studiosf2pfree-to-playjanuary-state-of-the-gameperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpwerob-overmeyersotgstate-of-the-gameupdatesMon, 23 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth's December State of the Game talks F2P transition, new features]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/01/fallen-earths-december-state-of-the-game-talks-f2p-transition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/01/fallen-earths-december-state-of-the-game-talks-f2p-transition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/01/fallen-earths-december-state-of-the-game-talks-f2p-transition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Screenshot -- Fallen Earth
It's finally December, which means that I can go into a store and not fly into a rage when I discover that it's already playing Christmas music. It also means that it's time for Fallen Earth's December State of the Game letter. This is the first State of the Game since the title's change to F2P last month, so can you bet your hide there's a lot to cover. Marie Croall begins by talking about some of the "less sexy but ultimately critical things" that the team has been working on since the transition. Lots of bug-fixing has taken place as the Fallen Earth team works to iron out some of the kinks that arose during the F2P transition.

Meanwhile, the town of Embry got a bit of a makeover. The art team went into the city and "replaced high-poly, high-batch buildings with newer ones that will improve performance and the overall aesthetic appeal of the town." The team is also working hard at developing new content and features, such as world events, farms, and the upcoming augmentation system. Croall closes out the post with some dates: Territory control, the revamped map, new world events, and New Embry will be added to the game in mid-December, while everything else will have to wait until next year. For the full details, head on to the game's official blog.

MassivelyFallen Earth's December State of the Game talks F2P transition, new features originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>augmentationbugbug-fixesbugsf2pfallen-earthfefree-to-playgamersfirstsotgstate-of-the-gameterritory-controlThu, 01 Dec 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Cryptic posts Champions Online's November state of the game]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/01/cryptic-posts-champions-onlines-november-state-of-the-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/01/cryptic-posts-champions-onlines-november-state-of-the-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/01/cryptic-posts-champions-onlines-november-state-of-the-game/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Champions Online
Cryptic Studios has just uploaded its most recent state of the game letter for Champions Online, and the post begins by reinventing itself. Rather than focusing on "answering all the questions about future development plans and the status of top issues and player concerns," the Champs team aims to use the SOTG to reveal what the team is working on right now. Long-term plans and feedback will be addressed instead on the forums as part of the UNTIL Field Report.

The SOTG covers the pair of new archetypes, the Halloween event, new costume sets, and the archetype roation promotion before briefing players on the upcoming comic series 2, called Whiteout, which will "take your Hero on an adventure that is unique and exciting." The (apparently still growing) team is also working on the Alert system, the Winter event, two new frameworks (Earth and Wind), and tweaks to the Infernal framework and the Nemesis. And as promised, this month's UNTIL Field Report fills in the details of these development nuggets and more.

MassivelyCryptic posts Champions Online's November state of the game originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>archetypechampions-onlinecocrypticcryptic-champions-onlinecryptic-cocryptic-studiosf2pfree-to-playnewsperfect-world-entertainmentpwesotgState-of-the-gamesuperheroUNTIL-field-reportUNTIL-field-reportsTue, 01 Nov 2011 20:30:00 EST